Perceptions of Gown and Glove Use to Prevent Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Transmission in Nursing Homes.
Jennifer S Albrecht, Lindsay Croft, Daniel J Morgan and 1 others
PMID 27687079WHAT IT FOUND
Nursing home staff wear gowns and gloves to protect their own clothes from bodily fluids, not to stop MRSA transmission.
Residents dislike the look of full protective gear until they understand it prevents infection. Staff are open to using gear for high-risk tasks like wound care if trained.
Key findings
01Direct care staff use gowns and gloves primarily for self-protection against bodily fluids rather than to prevent MRSA transmission.
02Residents initially viewed gown use negatively, associating it with quarantine, but accepted it once they understood its purpose in preventing transmission.
03Staff and administrators expressed willingness to adopt targeted gown and glove use for high-risk activities, particularly for residents with pressure ulcers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study took place in three nursing homes within a single state that were part of the same system, so the findings may not apply to other regions or independent facilities. Family members were not interviewed, missing a key perspective on how protective gear affects the patient experience. The small number of participants (31 total) limits the breadth of views captured.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that staff are currently following infection control guidelines for MRSA. The study shows that gear is used for personal clothing protection, not pathogen containment, so actual transmission risk may be higher than observed compliance suggests.