McBryde, E.S., Bradley, L.C., Whitby, M., and McElwain, D.L.S. (2004) An investigation of contact transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Hospital Infection, 58 (2). pp. 104-108.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

Summary 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%.

Item ID:	39793
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1532-2939
Keywords:	MRSA; hand hygiene; infection control
Funders:	Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants:	ARC Linkage grant LP347112
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2015 01:39
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1103 Clinical Sciences > 110309 Infectious Diseases @ 40% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111706 Epidemiology @ 40% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1605 Policy and Administration > 160508 Health Policy @ 20%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920109 Infectious Diseases @ 60% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920309 Pacific Peoples Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 20% 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920207 Health Policy Evaluation @ 20%
Downloads:	Total: 2
	More Statistics