A recent study says that if healthcare facilities don't have proper policies, the infection risks associated with therapy animals may outweigh the benefits, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control and Clinical Quality website.
Researchers surveyed 45 eldercare facilities, 45 hospitals and 27 therapy animal organizations about their policies regarding therapy animals and animal-assisted intervention programs.
Four percent of hospitals and 22 percent of eldercare facilities had no policies in place.
Sixteen percent of hospitals and 40 percent of eldercare facilities had policies requiring a minimal written health record for the therapy animal.
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