Table 2 Research questions for the community setting in descending order of priority.

1.

What is the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the

community and what are the risk factors for its acquisition?

2.

In frail older adults with influenza, do neuraminidase inhibitors reduce influenza-

related complications?

3.

Among older adults living in the community, what are most effective strategies for

optimizing antibiotic prescribing?

4.

What is the burden of illness due to infections in older adults living in the community?

5.

What is the incidence and etiology of community acquired pneumonia in older adults?

6.

What do healthcare providers and policy makers perceive to be barriers to

implementation of home care agency vaccination programs?

7.

Do nutritional supplementation strategies prevent community acquired infection in

older adults?

8.

Are alternative and complementary medicine therapies effective in preventing and

treating infections in older adults?

9.

What is the burden of illness due to infections in older adults receiving home care and

what strategies are effective in preventing these infections?

10.

What are the barriers to influenza and pneumococcus vaccination in older adults?

11.

What are the most effective strategies to combat misinformation regarding risks of

pneumococcal and influenza immunization?

12.

Does a feeding and positioning strategy for community-based neurologically impaired

older adults reduce the risk for pneumonia?

13.

How can the diagnosis of community-acquired respiratory infections be improved in

older adults?