Publication Date
3-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Infection Prevention
DOI
10.1177/17571774231208312
PMID
38362111
PMCID
PMC10866122
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
10-16-2023
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Gram-positive bacteria, hand hygiene, infection prevention, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, nosocomial infection, standard precautions
Abstract
Variations in the literature support the benefit of contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections in the hospital setting. During personal protective equipment shortages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, contact precautions were discontinued for MRSA and VRE-infected patients. Rates of hospital-acquired MRSA and VRE infections were compared before and after this intervention, along with hand hygiene proportions. Contact precaution discontinuation did not lead to an increase in hospital-acquired MRSA or VRE infections.