Impact of contact isolation on health care workers at a tertiary care center

Abstract

To curb the spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridium difficile, the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that contact isolation be used for all patients who are hospitalized and colonized and/or infected with such organisms.1,2 Contact isolation requires health care workers (HCWs) to wear gowns and gloves before patient contact.