Targeted Gown and Glove Use to Prevent Staphylococcus aureus Acquisition in Community-Based Nursing Homes: A pilot study

This objective of this study was to test the feasibility of targeted gown and glove use by healthcare workers caring for high risk nursing home residents to prevent Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in short stay residents. During a 2-month baseline period nursing home residents were swabbed at the nose and inguinal fold at study period start or admission to the facility. Residents were swabbed again at discharge or study period end, whichever came first. This process was repeated during a 2-month intervention period where healthcare workers wore gowns and gloves for high risk care activities while caring for residents with wounds or medical devices. Residents could be enrolled in the study more than once if they were discharged during a study period and then readmitted during that same study period, or if they were in the nursing home for both study periods.