Optimizing Contact Precautions to Curb the Spread of Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria in Hospitals: A Multicenter Cohort Study to Identify Patient Characteristics and Healthcare Personnel Interactions Associated With Transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Healthcare personnel (HCP) acquire antibiotic-resistant bacteria on their gloves and gowns when caring for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Yet, contact precautions for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains controversial despite existing guidelines. We sought to understand which patients are more likely to transfer MRSA to HCP and to identify which HCP interactions are more likely to lead to glove or gown contamination.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicenter cohort study of cultured HCP gloves and gowns for MRSA. Samples were obtained from patients' anterior nares, perianal area, and skin of the chest and arm to assess bacterial burden.

Results

Among 402 MRSA-colonized patients with 3982 interactions, we found that

SUBMITTER: O'Hara LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6761365 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature