Preventing the Spread of Infection in Nursing Homes

Implementation of a Novel Strategy to Prevent Staphylococcus Aureus (SA) Acquisition in Community-Based Nursing Homes to Prevent Invasive SA Infection - Feasibility and Pilot to Guide a Multicenter Stepped Wedge Cluster Trial

This study evaluates the feasibility of targeting more frequent gown and glove use for specific high risk moments of care in specific nursing home residents in order to prevent Staphylococcus aureus (SA) acquisition and infection.

Nursing homes are settings with a high rate of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) acquisition, which leads to infection, particularly for short stay residents. The current standard of care for preventing SA acquisition and SA infection in nursing homes is Standard Precautions (gowns and gloves for anticipated contact with blood, body fluids, skin breakdown or mucous membranes) for all residents. The investigators propose a feasibility study of a novel strategy, the addition of targeted gown and glove use, to prevent SA acquisition and SA infection in residents of nursing homes. Rather than wearing gowns and gloves for all care activities to prevent transmission, gown and glove use can be targeted to specific high risk "moments" of care for specific high risk residents. High risk "moments" for gown and glove use are care activities most likely to transmit SA based on prior research. Residents with chronic wounds and medical devices are: 1) most likely to be colonized with SA; 2) most likely to acquire SA; 3) most likely to transmit SA to healthcare worker clothing and hands; and 4) most likely to develop a SA infection based on prior research and thus would be considered high risk residents. The investigators will perform a quasi-experimental (before-after) study of this intervention, targeted gown and glove use, at two community-based nursing homes to demonstrate its feasibility and evaluate its effect on SA acquisition and SA infection rates.

Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥18 years Reside in a participating nursing home Exclusion Criteria: Identified by nursing home staff as combative or with other behavioral problems which could lead to agitation if approached by project staff

Lydecker AD, Osei PA, Pineles L, Johnson JK, Meisel J, Stine OC, Magder L, Gurses AP, Hebden J, Oruc C, Mody L, Jacobs Slifka K, Stone ND, Roghmann MC. Targeted gown and glove use to prevent Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in community-based nursing homes: A pilot study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 Apr;42(4):448-454. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.1219. Epub 2020 Oct 20.