Caregivers entering patient rooms in intensive care units typically use contact precautions – putting on gowns and gloves – when the patient is known to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study was a randomized trial of universal gown and glove use for adult patients in intensive care units in 2012. Data on 1800 patients at different hospitals were studied. The authors comment that:
- “The observation that universal glove and gown use may result in fewer adverse events was unanticipated. Universal glove and gown use could potentially have led to a decrease in HAIs [healthcare-associated infections] by serving as a barrier to acquiring new bacteria both through physical use of gloves and gowns as well as fewer HCW [health care worker] visits and better hand hygiene.”
Source: Croft, L.D., Harris, A.D., Pineles, L., and others. (2015, Aug. 15). The effect of universal glove and gown use on adverse events in intensive care unit patients. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 61(4), 545-553. Click here for full text: cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/61/4/545.full.pdf Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2003, rc@aha.org
Filed under: Best practices, Patient safety, Posted by Kim Garber, Special care units | Tagged: Contact precautions, Gloves, Hospital gowns, ICUs, Intensive care units, MRSA infections, Special care units |
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