Can We Prevent Transmission of Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Hospitals?

Two large studies on active screening for drug-resistant bacteria produced strikingly different results.

How to limit the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in the healthcare environment remains unclear. This issue was recently addressed in two large clinical studies.

In a cluster-randomized trial involving 18 U.S. adult intensive care units (ICUs), Huskins and colleagues (with partial industry support) examined the effect of MRSA and VRE surveillance. In the 10 intervention ICUs, patients known or found to have MRSA or VRE colonization or infection were managed with contact precautions; all other patients received care with universal gloving pending the results of the screening studies. In the eight control ICUs, standard institutional protocols for managing MRSA and VRE were…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health