The designation of contact precautions as an 'essential practice' for MRSA prevention.
By Vijay Kumar MalesuSep 25 2023Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM In a recent review published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, a group of authors critically assessed the designation of contact precautions as an "essential practice" for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevention in acute care facilities.
However, designating CP as "essential" raises concerns due to inadequate evidence and potential adverse consequences, suggesting a need for a more tailored, context-specific approach. Observational studies and their implications The multitude of observational studies and mathematical models presented show varying impacts of CP on MRSA transmission, neither conclusively supporting nor disputing CP as a preventative measure for MRSA.
Assessing CP during the pandemic and beyond The rise in MRSA infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the myriad of changes in care practices make it challenging to evaluate the real impact of changes in CP use during this period. Insights from various studies Studies like the Study on the Randomized Evaluation of Decolonization vs. Universal Clearance to Eliminate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control to Reduce the Incidence of Nosocomial Infection , and Mastering hospital Antimicrobial Resistance and its Spread into the Community have provided insights into the effectiveness of CP.
The benefits of universal gown and gloves Study: A differing perspective Harris et al.'s BUGG study found benefits from the universal use of gowns and gloves in all ICU patients, particularly showcasing a statistically significant reduction in MRSA acquisition events in intervention units.