Taking off the gown: Impact of discontinuing contact precautions for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing organisms

Abstract

Contact precautions are used to prevent the spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing organisms in acute-care hospitals, but supporting data are lacking. We discontinued such precautions for ESBL Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp and found no increased prevalence of these organisms with our change in practice.

Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post–COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey

“…At least 1 healthcare facility has discontinued contact precautions for ESBL-producing organisms and has shown similar findings. 15,16 During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), and the limited availability of single-occupant patient rooms in some facilities forced many hospitals to reconsider the use of contact precautions. We hypothesized that COVID-19 may have been the initial impetus to discontinue contact precautions for MRSA or other MDROs but that many facilities did not return to prepandemic contact precautions polices, even after the supply shortage ended.…”

“…At least 1 healthcare facility has discontinued contact precautions for ESBL-producing organisms and has shown similar findings. 15 , 16 …”