This SHEA expert guidance advises hospitals in when they can safely discontinue contact precautions for patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria, addressing how long hospital staff should use these safety protocols to reduce the spread of pathogens within the hospital, in most cases ranging from one to three negative cultures prior to discontinuation. The guidance also outlines the use of molecular testing in care decisions.
Authors: Banach DB, Bearman G, Barnden M, Hanrahan JA, Leekha S, Morgan DJ, Murthy R, Munoz-Price LS, Sullivan KV, Popovich KJ, Wiemken TL