Are contact precautions “essential” for the prevention of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ?

Daniel J Diekema; Priya Nori; Michael P Stevens; Matthew W Smith; K C Coffey; Daniel J Morgan

doi:10.1093/cid/ciad571

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Are contact precautions “essential” for the prevention of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ?

Journal article

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Are contact precautions “essential” for the prevention of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ?

Daniel J Diekema, Priya Nori, Michael P Stevens, Matthew W Smith, K C Coffey and Daniel J Morgan

Clinical infectious diseases, Vol.78(5), pp.1289-1294

09/21/2023

DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad571

PMID: 37738565

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Abstract

Abstract The recently updated SHEA/IDSA/APIC practice recommendations for MRSA prevention in acute care facilities list contact precautions (CP) for patients known to be infected or colonized with MRSA as an “essential practice”, meaning that it should be adopted in all acute care facilities. We argue that existing evidence on benefits and harms associated with CP do not justify this recommendation. There are no controlled trials that support broad use of CP for MRSA prevention. Data from hospitals that have discontinued CP for MRSA have found no impact on MRSA acquisition or infection. The burden and harms of CP remain concerning, including the environmental impact of increased gown and glove use. We suggest that CP be included among other “additional approaches” to MRSA prevention that can be implemented under specific circumstances (e.g. outbreaks, evidence of ongoing transmission despite application of essential practices).

Details

Title: Subtitle: Are contact precautions “essential” for the prevention of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ?
Creators: Daniel J Diekema - University of Iowa
Priya Nori - Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Michael P Stevens - West Virginia University
Matthew W Smith - University of Iowa
K C Coffey - University of Maryland, Baltimore
Daniel J Morgan - University of Maryland, Baltimore
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Clinical infectious diseases, Vol.78(5), pp.1289-1294
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad571
PMID: 37738565
NLM abbreviation: Clin Infect Dis
ISSN: 1058-4838
eISSN: 1537-6591
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/21/2023
Academic Unit: Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984472651802771

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