Enhanced barrier precautions to prevent transmission of Staphylococcus aureus and Carbapenem-resistant organisms in nursing home chronic ventilator units

Objective: Assess the feasibility and effect of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) on the transmission of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) among residents in nursing home chronic ventilator units (NH-CVU). Design: Pre-post interventional study. Setting: Two community-based nursing homes with CVUs in Maryland. A total of 56 residents were enrolled in the baseline period and 64 residents were enrolled in the intervention period. Methods: During a 3-month baseline and intervention period, residents were swabbed monthly to estimate SA and CRO acquisition. During a 2-month training period, EBP was implemented for residents with chronic wounds, medical devices, or history of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization. During the subsequent 3-month intervention period, healthcare personnel (HCP) wore gowns and gloves for high-contact care activities when residents were on EBP. Whole genome sequencing assessed resident-to-resident transmission. Results: At baseline, NH-CVU1 used gowns and gloves for all direct contact, while NH-CVU2 used EBP only for residents with a history of MDRO colonization. After training, the proportion of NH-CVU2 residents on EBP increased from 65% in the baseline period to 87% in the intervention period. Glove use was high (93–98%) in both NH-CVUs. Gown use increased from 39% to 77% in NH-CVU1 and from 26% to 72% in NH-CVU2. Resident-to-resident transmission of SA or CRO decreased by 25% in NH-CVU1 ( p = 0.60) and by 67% in NH-CVU2 ( p = 0.05). CRO transmission decreased by 33% in NH-CVU1 ( p = 0.54) and by 83% in NH-CVU2 ( p = 0.02). Conclusions: EBP is feasible and potentially decreases overall and CRO transmission in nursing home CVUs.