Contamination of Hands with Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusafter Contact with Environmental Surfaces and after Contact with the Skin of Colonized Patients

Abstract

In a study of 40 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers, hand contamination was equally likely after contact with commonly examined skin sites and commonly touched environmental surfaces in patient rooms (40% vs 45%). These findings suggest that contaminated surfaces may be an important source of MRSA transmission.

Sustained Reduction of Microbial Burden on Common Hospital Surfaces through Introduction of Copper

“…Kramer et al reported that, in hospitals, surfaces with hand contact are often contaminated with nosocomial pathogens and may serve as vectors for cross-transmission (17). Stiefel et al found that in patient rooms with MRSA carriers, HCWs are just as likely to contaminate their hands or gloves from contact with commonly touched environmental surfaces as from direct contact with colonized patients (35). Boyce (6) demonstrated that nurses frequently acquired MRSA on their gloves after touching surfaces near colonized patients, and a report by Bhalla and others found that 53% of hand imprint cultures were positive for one or more pathogens after contact with surfaces near hospitalized patients (2).…”

Environmental contamination by multidrug-resistant microorganisms after daily cleaning

“…4 However, high-touch surfaces can also be colonized by the hands of health care workers. 5 Paradoxically, another mechanism for environmental spreading is the use of contaminated cleaning wipes. This phenomenon was described >40 years ago, 6 but it has generated more interest within recent years.…”

Sustained increase in resident meal time hand hygiene through an interdisciplinary intervention engaging long-term care facility residents and staff

“…[1][2][3] Hand hygiene by patients may also be an important means to prevent acquisition and dissemination of health caree associated pathogens. 4,5 However, limited efforts have been made to engage patients in hand hygiene interventions. [6][7][8][9][10] LTCFs may pose unique challenges for implementation of patient hand hygiene initiatives for several reasons.…”