Study: Caregivers Contribute to Spread of MRSA

A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology states that as many as one in four nursing home residents are carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA - and caregivers, the researchers found, might be unwittingly contributing the spread of the infection.

The researchers examined resident-caregiver interactions at a number of facilities and found that transmission is most likely to occur while dressing or transferring residents, providing hygiene such as brushing teeth or combing hair and when changing linens or briefs. The most common mode of transmission is caregivers' contaminated gloves.

The researchers noted that guidance on when to use barrier precautions (such as gowns and gloves) when caring for residents with MRSA is limited.

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