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Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to Healthcare Worker Gowns and Gloves During Care of Nursing Home Residents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2015

Mary-Claire Roghmann ,
J. Kristie Johnson ,
John D. Sorkin ,
Patricia Langenberg ,
Alison Lydecker ,
Brian Sorace ,
Lauren Levy  and
Lona Mody
Mary-Claire Roghmann*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
J. Kristie Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
John D. Sorkin
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Patricia Langenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Alison Lydecker
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Brian Sorace
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Lauren Levy
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Lona Mody
Affiliation:
Division of Geriatric and Palliative Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
*
Address correspondence to Mary-Claire Roghmann, MD, MS, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 South Pine Street, MTSF Room 336, Baltimore, MD 21201 (mroghman@epi.umaryland.edu).
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission to gowns and gloves worn by healthcare workers (HCWs) interacting with nursing home residents to better inform infection prevention policies in this setting

DESIGN

Observational study

SETTING

Participants were recruited from 13 community-based nursing homes in Maryland and Michigan

PARTICIPANTS

Residents and HCWs from these nursing homes

METHODS

Residents were cultured for MRSA at the anterior nares and perianal or perineal skin. HCWs wore gowns and gloves during usual care activities. At the end of each activity, a research coordinator swabbed the HCW’s gown and gloves.

RESULTS

A total of 403 residents were enrolled; 113 were MRSA colonized. Glove contamination was higher than gown contamination (24% vs 14% of 954 interactions; P<.01). Transmission varied greatly by type of care from 0% to 24% for gowns and from 8% to 37% for gloves. We identified high-risk care activities: dressing, transferring, providing hygiene, changing linens, and toileting the resident (OR >1.0; P<.05). We also identified low-risk care activities: giving medications and performing glucose monitoring (OR<1.0; P<.05). Residents with chronic skin breakdown had significantly higher rates of gown and glove contamination.

CONCLUSIONS

MRSA transmission from MRSA-positive residents to HCW gown and gloves is substantial; high-contact activities of daily living confer the highest risk. These activities do not involve overt contact with body fluids, skin breakdown, or mucous membranes, which suggests the need to modify current standards of care involving the use of gowns and gloves in the nursing home setting.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1050–1057

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 36 , Issue 9 , September 2015 , pp. 1050 - 1057
Copyright
© 2015 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved 

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