Barrier Precautions in the Era of Multidrug Pathogens

AbstractPurpose of reviewThere is a continuing debate regarding contact precaution (CP) usage for endemic multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). In this review, we examine current recommendations for CP and highlight differences in CP use between endemic and non-endemic MDROs.Recent findingsThe discontinuation of CP had no effect on the incidence of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistantEnterococci. The evidence regarding CP for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae is inconclusive, highlighting the need for more research to determine best infection control strategies. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae maintains a sporadic pattern in the USA, supporting current recommendations to use CP for colonized and infected patients. MDRAcinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) is extremely virulent and responsible for outbreaks in healthcare settings, emphasizing the need for CP use with MDR-AB infected patients.Candida auris (C. auris) is often misdiagnosed; it is resistant to UV light and quaternary ammonium low-level disinfection. Because little is known about the transmission ofC. auris, significant caution and CP use are necessitated. There is little research on vancomycin-resistantS. aureus (VRSA) control strategies due to its rarity; thus, CP is strongly recommended.SummaryContact precautions are frequently part of a bundled infection control approach that involves meticulous hand hygiene, patient decolonization, chlorhexidine gl...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research