SHIELD: Eliminating multidrug-resistant organisms
What is SHIELD?
The SHIELD project is a quality improvement intervention for hospitals, nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals to reduce the spread and infections of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO).
SHIELD, which stands for Shared Healthcare Intervention to Eliminate Life-threatening Dissemination of MDROs, began as a regional demonstration project in 36 healthcare facilities across Orange County. The intervention project introduced anti-bacterial bathing protocols and other efforts to decolonize, or eliminate, the drug-resistant organisms, in patients at 17 area hospitals, 16 nursing homes and three long term acute care hospitals (LTACHs).
The intervention project, which was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, resulted in substantial reductions in MDROs in participating facilities and countywide. Because of the project's success, the protocols and training materials are being made available here in editable and PDF formats.
Is SHIELD Right for You?
The SHIELD intervention is right for you if:
- Your facility is experiencing cultures or infections due to MDROs
- Your facility is worried about MDROs in general
- Your facility is willing to do a campaign to reduce MDROs
- Your facility is interested in the benefits of “decolonization” but needs “how to” help
The SHIELD program is effective against the following organisms:
- CRE: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
- MRSA: methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- VRE: vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
- ESBL: extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers