Timing and route of contamination of hospitalized patient rooms with healthcare-associated pathogens

• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.1367
• Publication Date: 2021-01-13T01:03:14Z
• Authors: Sarah N. Redmond; Basya S. Pearlmutter; Yilen K. Ng-Wong; Heba Alhmidi; Jennifer L. Cadnum; Sandra Y. Silva; Brigid M. Wilson; Curtis J. Donskey
• Keywords: SOCKS; Carriage; Veterans Affairs

Abstract Objective: To investigate the timing and routes of contamination rooms patients newly admitted to hospital. Design: Observational cohort study simulations pathogen transfer. Setting: A Veterans’ Affairs Participants: Patients hospital with no known carriage healthcare-associated pathogens. Methods: Interactions between participants personnel or portable equipment were observed, cultures high-touch surfaces, floors, bedding, patients’ socks skin collected for up 4 days. Cultures processed Clostridioides difficile , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Simulations conducted bacteriophage MS2 assess plausibility transfer from contaminated floors surfaces effectiveness wearing slippers in reducing Results: Environmental became positive at least 1 10 (59%) 17 rooms, MRSA, C. difficile VRE (59%), 2 (12%), (12%) participants, respectively. For all 14 instances detection, initial site recovery was floor followed a subset by detection on sock bottoms, surfaces. In simulations, over dramatically reduced hands Conclusions: Floors may be an underappreciated source dissemination healthcare facilities. Simple interventions such as having wear could potentially reduce risk pathogens