Place patients on Contact Precautions.

Handwashing - is the most effective infection control measure to reduce the risk of transmission of MRSA and other nosocomial pathogens in healthcare settings. Wash hands before patient contact and after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn. Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contact, and when otherwise indicated to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or to the environment. It may be necessary to wash hands between tasks and procedures on the same patient to prevent cross-contamination of different body sites (e.g., change gloves after bathing patient and before performing a dressing change at an IV site).

Gloves - gloves provide a physical barrier between potentially infective material and the health care workers hands.

1. Don gloves upon entering the room.
2. During the course of providing care for a patient, change gloves after having contact with infected material that may ntain high concentrations of microorganisms (e.g., sputum and wound drainage).
3. Remove gloves before leaving the patient’s room and wash hands immediately. After glove removal and handwashing, ensure hands do not touch potentially contaminated environmental surfaces or items in the patient’s room to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments. You may need to use a clean paper towel under your hand to open the door of the room. After the door is opened, discard the paper towel in the waste container inside the room.