Researchers Study Effect of Improved Hand Hygiene on Nosocomial MRSA Control

Marimuthu, et al. (2014) conducted a review to examine studies that have assessed the association between hand hygiene enhancement and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates and to explore controversies surrounding this association.

The researchers say that many studies have been published confirming the link between improved hand hygiene compliance and reduction in MRSA acquisition and infections, including bacteremia. These studies have also shown the cost-effective nature of these programs. Despite considerable research some issues remain unanswered still, including the temporal relationship between hand hygiene enhancement strategies and decrease in MRSA rates, association between hand hygiene enhancement and MRSA-related surgical site infections, diminishing effect of hand hygiene compliance on MRSA rates after reaching a threshold and the role of instituting contact precautions in the setting of low MRSA rates and sufficient hand hygiene compliance.

Marimuthu, et al. (2014) conclude that enhancement of hand hygiene compliance has been shown to reduce MRSA rates; however, some open issues warrant further investigation. Their research was published in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control. 

Reference: Marimuthu K, Pittet D and Harbarth S. The effect of improved hand hygiene on nosocomial MRSA control. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control 2014, 3:34  doi:10.1186/2047-2994-3-34