Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
An investigation of contact transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
E S McBryde1, L C Bradley, M Whitby
1Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld. 4001, Australia. e.mcbryde@qut.edu.au
Abstract:
Hand hygiene is critical in the healthcare setting and it is believed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), for example, is transmitted from patient to patient largely via the hands of health professionals. A study has been carried out at a large teaching hospital to estimate how often the gloves of a healthcare worker are contaminated with MRSA after contact with a colonized patient. The effectiveness of handwashing procedures to decontaminate the health professionals' hands was also investigated, together with how well different healthcare professional groups complied with handwashing procedures. The study showed that about 17% (9-25%) of contacts between a healthcare worker and a MRSA-colonized patient results in transmission of MRSA from a patient to the gloves of a healthcare worker. Different health professional groups have different rates of compliance with infection control procedures. Non-contact staff (cleaners, food services) had the shortest handwashing times. In this study, glove use compliance rates were 75% or above in all healthcare worker groups except doctors whose compliance was only 27%.
Insights
Healthcare worker gloves become contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 17% of patient contacts. Compliance with glove use and handwashing protocols varied significantly among staff, impacting infection control.
Area of Science:
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Healthcare Epidemiology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Patient-to-patient transmission of MRSA is largely attributed to healthcare worker hands.
- Understanding contamination pathways and compliance is crucial for effective infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify MRSA contamination rates on healthcare worker gloves after patient contact.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of handwashing for decontaminating hands.
- To assess compliance with hand hygiene and glove use protocols among different healthcare professional groups.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted at a large teaching hospital.
- Investigated MRSA transmission from colonized patients to healthcare worker gloves.
- Assessed handwashing effectiveness and compliance rates for hand hygiene and glove use.
Main Results:
- Approximately 17% of contacts between healthcare workers and MRSA-colonized patients resulted in glove contamination.
- Significant variations in compliance with infection control procedures were observed across different staff groups.
- Doctors showed notably low glove use compliance (27%) compared to other groups (≥75%).
Conclusions:
- Healthcare worker gloves are frequently contaminated with MRSA during patient interactions.
- Inconsistent adherence to hand hygiene and glove use protocols, particularly among physicians, requires targeted interventions.
- Improved compliance is essential to reduce MRSA transmission in hospitals.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections