Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-wq484 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T01:53:42.378Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Impact of Discontinuing Contact Precautions for VRE and MRSA on Device-Associated Infections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2015

Michael B. Edmond
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, Iowa
Nadia Masroor
Affiliation:
Infection Prevention Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
Michael P. Stevens
Affiliation:
Infection Prevention Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
Janis Ober
Affiliation:
Infection Prevention Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
Gonzalo Bearman*
Affiliation:
Infection Prevention Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
*
Address correspondence to Gonzalo Bearman MD, MPH, VCU Medical Center, Box 980019, Richmond, VA 23298 (gbearman@mcvh-vcu.edu).

Abstract

The impact of discontinuing contact precautions for patients with MRSA and VRE colonization/infection on device-associated hospital-acquired infection rates at an academic medical center was investigated in this before-and-after study. In the setting of a strong horizontal infection prevention platform, discontinuation of contact precautions had no impact on device-associated hospital-acquired infection rates.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(8):978–980

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
© 2015 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Mclemore, A, Bearman, G, Edmond, M. Effect of contact precautions on wait time from emergency room disposition to inpatient admission. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011;32:298299.Google Scholar
2. Harris, AD, Pineles, L, Belton, B, et al. Universal glove and gown use and acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ICU: a randomized trial. JAMA 2013;310:15711580.Google Scholar
3. Stelfox, H, Bates, DW, Redelmeier, DA. Safety of patients isolated for infection control. JAMA 2003;290:18991905.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Fatkenheuer, G, Hirschel, B, Harbarth, S. Screening and isolation to control methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: sense, nonsense, and evidence. Lancet 2014;385:11461149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Edmond, M, Wenzel, R.. Screening Inpatients for MRSA-Case Closed. New Engl J Med 2013;368:23142315.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. VerLee, K, Berriel-Cass, D, Buck, K, Nguyen, C. Cost of isolation: daily cost of isolation determined and cost avoidance demonstrated from the overuse of personal protective equipment in an acute care facility. Am J Infect Control 2014;42:448449.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Gandra, S, Barysauskas, C, Mack, DA, Barton, B, Finberg, R, Ellison, R. Impact of contact precautions on falls, pressure ulcers and transmission of MRSA and VRE in hospitalized patients. J Hosp Infect 2014;88:170176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Bearman, G, Stevens, M. Control of drug-resistant pathogens in endemic settings: contact precautions, controversies, and a proposal for a less restrictive alternative. Curr Infect Dis Rept 2012;14:620626.Google Scholar