長期照護機構常見感染症及抗藥性菌種問題

Common Infections and Antimicrobial-resistant Pathogens in Long-term Care Facility

隨著近期台灣人口結構高齡化及少子化，需要長期照護機構的高齡長者已逐漸增加。這些長期照護居民大多數具有慢性共病、多重用藥、侵入性醫療裝置（如導尿管、鼻胃管、氣切管路）、生活功能失能及免疫功能較差等問題，因此也造就感染症是長期照護機構裡老年人住院及死亡的主要原因。除此之外，長照機構也被證實是和抗生素抗藥菌種高度相關。本綜論目的希望探討長照機構住民常見感染症流行病學資料，瞭解長照機構內常見感染疾病，極致病菌抗生素抗藥性問題；藉此文獻回顧可以提供相關醫療照顧者參考。

Decreasing birth rates and an aging population have resulted in increased demand for long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Taiwan. Many LTCF residents with multimorbidity and polypharmacy experience invasive treatments, functional decline, and impaired immunity; infection is the leading cause of frequent hospitalization and mortality in this population. LTCFs have also been reported to be highly associated with antimicrobial resistance. This study reviews epidemiological data and characteristics of common infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistances in LTCFs to help caregivers develop a comprehensive understanding of infections in the elderly.