Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci on the gowns and gloves of healthcare workers

Graham M Snyder; Kerri A Thom; Jon P Furuno; Eli N Perencevich; Mary-Claire Roghmann; Sandra M Strauss; Giora Netzer; Anthony D Harris

doi:10.1086/588701

Back

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci on the gowns and gloves of healthcare workers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci on the gowns and gloves of healthcare workers

Graham M Snyder, Kerri A Thom, Jon P Furuno, Eli N Perencevich, Mary-Claire Roghmann, Sandra M Strauss, Giora Netzer and Anthony D Harris

Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.29(7), pp.583-589

07/2008

DOI: 10.1086/588701

PMCID: PMC2577846

PMID: 18549314

Files and links (1)

url

http://doi.org/10.1086/588701View

Open Access

Abstract

To assess the rate of and the risk factors for the detection of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) on the protective gowns and gloves of healthcare workers (HCWs). We observed the interactions between HCWs and patients during routine clinical activities in a 29-bed medical intensive care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center, an urban tertiary care academic hospital. Samples for culture were obtained from HCWs' hands prior to their entering a patient's room, from HCWs' disposable gowns and gloves after they completed patient care activities, and from HCWs' hands immediately after they removed their protective gowns and gloves. Of 137 HCWs caring for patients colonized or infected with MRSA and/or VRE, 24 (17.5%; 95% confidence interval, 11.6%-24.4%) acquired the organism on their gloves, gown, or both. HCW contact with the endotracheal tube or tracheostomy site of a patient (P < .05), HCW contact with the head and/or neck of a patient (P < .05), and HCW presence in the room of a patient with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and/or jejunostomy tube (P < .05) were associated with an increased risk of acquiring these organisms. The gloves and gowns of HCWs frequently become contaminated with MRSA and VRE during the routine care of patients, and particularly during care of the patient's respiratory tract and any associated indwelling devices. As part of a larger infection control strategy, including high-compliance hand disinfection, they likely provide a useful barrier to transmitting antibiotic-resistant organisms among patients in an inpatient setting.

Intensive Care Units

Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification

Cross Infection - prevention & control

Humans

Risk Factors

Vancomycin Resistance

Equipment Contamination

Academic Medical Centers

Culture Media

Enterococcus - isolation & purification

Health Personnel

Gloves, Protective - microbiology

Enterococcus - drug effects

Hand - microbiology

Methicillin Resistance

Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects

Maryland

Protective Clothing - microbiology

MRSA

VRE

Details

Title: Subtitle: Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci on the gowns and gloves of healthcare workers
Creators: Graham M Snyder - Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
Kerri A Thom
Jon P Furuno
Eli N Perencevich
Mary-Claire Roghmann
Sandra M Strauss
Giora Netzer
Anthony D Harris
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.29(7), pp.583-589
DOI: 10.1086/588701
PMID: 18549314
PMCID: PMC2577846
NLM abbreviation: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
ISSN: 0899-823X
eISSN: 1559-6834
Publisher: United States
Grant note: CI000369-01 / NCPDCID CDC HHS R01 AI060859-03 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 CI000369 / NCPDCID CDC HHS R01 AI060859-01A1 / NIAID NIH HHS K12 RR023250 / NCRR NIH HHS 1K12RR023250-01 / NCRR NIH HHS R01 AI060859-04 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI060859 / NIAID NIH HHS K24 AI079040 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI060859-02 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI60859-01A1 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 07/2008
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983779494002771

Metrics

22 Record Views

127 Times Cited - Web of Science