Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey

Jessica R Howard-Anderson; Lindsey B Gottlieb; Susan E Beekmann; Philip M Polgreen; Jesse T Jacob; Daniel Z Uslan

doi:10.1017/ice.2024.11

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Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey

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Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey

Jessica R Howard-Anderson, Lindsey B Gottlieb, Susan E Beekmann, Philip M Polgreen, Jesse T Jacob and Daniel Z Uslan

Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.45(6), pp.703-708

02/14/2024

DOI: 10.1017/ice.2024.11

PMCID: PMC11102826

PMID: 38351872

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Abstract

To understand how healthcare facilities employ contact precautions for patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era and explore changes since 2014. Cross-sectional survey. Emerging Infections Network (EIN) physicians involved in infection prevention or hospital epidemiology. In September 2022, we sent via email an 8-question survey on contact precautions and adjunctive measures to reduce MDRO transmission in inpatient facilities. We also asked about changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. We used descriptive statistics to summarize data and compared results to a similar survey administered in 2014. Of 708 EIN members, 283 (40%) responded to the survey and 201 reported working in infection prevention. A majority of facilities (66% and 69%) routinely use contact precautions for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) respectively, compared to 93% and 92% in 2014. Nearly all (>90%) use contact precautions for , carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and carbapenem-resistant . More variability was reported for carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gram-negative organisms. Compared to 2014, fewer hospitals perform active surveillance for MRSA and VRE. Overall, 90% of facilities used chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in all or select inpatients, and 53% used ultraviolet light or hydrogen peroxide vapor disinfection at discharge. Many respondents (44%) reported changes to contact precautions since COVID-19 that remain in place. Heterogeneity exists in the use of transmission-based precautions and adjunctive infection prevention measures aimed at reducing MDRO transmission. This variation reflects a need for updated and specific guidance, as well as further research on the use of contact precautions in healthcare facilities.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey
Creators: Jessica R Howard-Anderson - Emory University School of Medicine
Lindsey B Gottlieb - Emory University
Susan E Beekmann - University of Iowa
Philip M Polgreen - University of Iowa
Jesse T Jacob - Emory University
Daniel Z Uslan - University of California, Los Angeles
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Infection control and hospital epidemiology, Vol.45(6), pp.703-708
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2024.11
PMID: 38351872
PMCID: PMC11102826
NLM abbreviation: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
eISSN: 1559-6834
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 02/14/2024
Academic Unit: Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984559772802771

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