While requiring gowns or gloves has been known to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) i certain settings, a new study evaluating 75,414 patient admissions from 74 Veterans Affairs (VA) longterm care facilities found that policies requiring active surveillance and contact precautions had no impact on MRSA rates, according to an article on the Contagion Live website.
The facilities were selected for the study in part because national VA policy required obtaining a MRSA surveillance test for all residents at admission and discharge.
This allowed an assessment of MRSA acquisition, which is typically only attainable through research studies.
While MRSA HAIs did decline during the study period by 30%, according to investigators, this was not related to the contact precautions policy.
Fire Protection in Healthcare: Why Active and Passive Systems Must Work as One
Cleveland Clinic Hits Key Milestones for Palm Beach County Expansion
Emanuel Medical Center Caught Up in Data Breach
Assisted Living Facility Violated Safety Standards: OSHA
McCarthy Completes Construction of Citizens Health Hospital in Kansas