A 25-year-old man with multiple injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident develops osteomyelitis while in the hospital. The organism is identified as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and antibiotics are started. Which of the following is the most important measure to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients?

Question

A 25-year-old man with multiple injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident develops osteomyelitis while in the hospital.  The organism is identified as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and antibiotics are started.  Which of the following is the most important measure to reduce the risk of transmission to other patients?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene by health care workers is the single most important measure to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms between patients. It includes handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers that do not require water. Proper handwashing technique involves washing all surfaces of the hands and fingers with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, drying with a disposable towel, and using the towel to turn off the faucet. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers and be allowed to dry. The World Health Organization recommends handwashing before and after touching a patient, before aseptic procedures, and after contact with body fluids or patient surroundings. (Choice A) Contact precautions involve wearing nonsterile gloves for all patient contact and gowns during substantial contact with infective material. These precautions are indicated when caring for patients with specific multidrug-resistant bacteria (eg, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci) or with certain parasitic or viral pathogens. This patient's methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection does not require use of contact precautions. (Choice C) Isolation precautions are indicated in the care of patients with infectious airborne diseases (eg, tuberculosis) and involve a private airborne infection isolation room with negative air pressure, closed doors, and the use of specialized particulate respirator masks. (Choice D) Facemasks are used as a barrier for respiratory secretions and are not a substitute for hand-washing. (Choice E) Restricting visitors is unnecessary, although all visitors should wash their hands before and after contact with the patient. Educational objective: Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to reduce the risk of transmission of hospital-acquired infections. __________ References: Update on hand hygiene. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23622758)

A 25-Year-Old Man with Multiple Injuries Sustained in a Motorcycle