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09:02
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
A prospective study to determine whether cover gowns in addition to gloves decrease nosocomial transmission of
Arjun Srinivasan1, Xiaoyan Song, Tracy Ross
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-5425, USA.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|August 21, 2002
Summary
Disposable cover gowns significantly reduce the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in hospitals. Switching from gowns and gloves to gloves alone increased VRE acquisition, highlighting the importance of gowns in infection control.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Infection Control
Background:
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- Current guidelines recommend gowns and gloves to prevent VRE transmission.
- The efficacy of gowns in preventing VRE spread requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of disposable cover gowns on preventing nosocomial VRE transmission.
- To determine if reducing gown usage increases VRE acquisition rates.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study conducted in a 16-bed medical intensive care unit.
- Patients at risk for VRE acquisition were monitored via perirectal cultures.
- Isolation precautions were altered from gowns and gloves to gloves alone.
Main Results:
- The VRE acquisition rate was 1.80 cases per 100 days at risk with gowns and gloves, versus 3.78 with gloves alone (P = .04).
- Using only gloves was identified as an independent risk factor for VRE acquisition (hazard ratio, 2.5; P = .02).
Conclusions:
- The study supports current recommendations for using cover gowns to reduce VRE transmission.
- Gowns play a crucial role in preventing the nosocomial spread of VRE.
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