A few years ago, a director at a senior living community noticed an alarming trend—urinary tract infections (UTIs) among residents were increasing, but identifying the root cause was a challenge. The data was scattered, and inconsistent reporting made it difficult to track patterns. That’s when her facility fully adopted the NHSN Long-Term Care Facility Component Forms. Within months, they identified risk factors, adjusted infection control strategies, and saw a meaningful decline in infections. 

Understanding and utilizing the right NHSN Long-Term Care Facility Component Forms can make all the difference in infection surveillance and prevention. Let’s explore the most important ones that every senior living community should consider using. 

The Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Event Form (CDC 57.140) is the go-to document for tracking UTIs, capturing essential details like symptoms, laboratory results, and urinary device use. If your community is working to improve UTI monitoring, the CDC provides the full form, along with detailed instructions to ensure accurate reporting. 

To get a clearer picture of your infection rates, the Denominators for LTCF Form (CDC 57.142) helps track daily resident counts, catheter usage, and antibiotic starts. This form plays a key role in calculating infection rates and evaluating antibiotic stewardship efforts. Facilities looking to strengthen their surveillance can review the denominators form and its instructions for use. 

The Monthly Reporting Plan for LTCF (CDC 57.141) is essential for planning out which infections and events will be monitored. A structured plan ensures that all required data is collected consistently. If your facility is ready to standardize its reporting, the monthly reporting plan form and its guidelines offer a great starting point. 

Finally, the Annual Facility Survey (CDC 57.137) compiles a broad overview of your community, from resident demographics to infection control practices. This survey helps put infection data into context, making it easier to identify areas for improvement. Senior living communities looking to complete their annual review can find the survey form here and step-by-step instructions. 

By using these NHSN Long-Term Care Facility Component Forms, senior living communities can improve data accuracy, enhance infection control, and ultimately provide better care for residents. A streamlined reporting process doesn’t just check compliance boxes, it actively contributes to better health outcomes. 

Stay well and stay informed!