Table 1 Core elements of contact precautions (CP) recommended by recent ESCMID and HICPAC/CDC guidelines
ESCMID 2014 (3) | HICPAC/CDC 2007 (2) | |
|---|---|---|
Indication for CP | Colonization or infection with MDRO | Colonization or infection with MDRO |
Donning and wearing of gloves and gowns | Gown and gloves are donned upon entry to a room | Gown and gloves are donned upon room entry Gown and gloves are indicated for all interactions that may involve contact with the patient or potentially contaminated areas in the patient’s environment. |
Disposal of gowns and gloves | Not stated | Gown and gloves are discarded before exiting the patient room |
Additional requirements & recommendations | Use of disposable single-use or patient-dedicated non-critical care equipment (e.g. blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes). | Use of patient-dedicated or single-use disposable noncritical equipment |
Placement of patients | Special isolation wards Nursing cohort with separate rooms on general wards Single room or cohort in same room without dedicated personnel Placement in a room with patients unaffected by MDROs but maintaining CP by use of gowns and gloves based on the patient’s extent of MDRO carriage | Single patient room preferred Cohort patients with same MDRO Multi-bed rooms with non-infected/non-colonized patients: at least 3 ft spatial separation between beds |