F881—the bane of everyone’s existence since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it continues to challenge many senior living communities. One of the latest additions to this ever-evolving field is enhanced barrier precautions in infection control, and there’s good reason to pay attention.
In a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH), researchers examined how Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) impacted the transmission of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) among residents in nursing home chronic ventilator units (NH-CVUs). You can read the full report—Enhanced barrier precautions to prevent transmission of Staphylococcus aureus and Carbapenem-resistant organisms in nursing home chronic ventilator units for detailed results. The takeaway? EBP was found to potentially decrease overall infections and reduce the spread of CROs in this high-risk population.
Adding urgency, a new CDC-supported report in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted the alarming rise of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), known as “nightmare bacteria.” Between 2019 and 2023, these drug-resistant infections increased nearly 70%. The CDC emphasizes that these resistance mechanisms present major clinical and public health challenges.
In response, the CDC urges healthcare providers and senior care staff to:
- Stay informed: Know the national and local risks, especially around NDM-CRE.
- Test promptly: Leverage available lab testing to detect CRE.
- Select treatment carefully: Choose antibiotics based on the specific resistance mechanism.
- Strengthen prevention: Use evidence-based protocols, including contact precautions in acute care and EBP in long-term care.
Yes, infection control can feel like trying to hit a moving target, new and more difficult-to-treat infections keep surfacing. But we’re not without tools. Be proactive. Make sure your infection preventionist keeps up with the latest CDC guidance, especially as EBP becomes more central to how we manage these threats.
While no single approach is a silver bullet, enhanced barrier precautions in infection control offer a promising layer of protection, especially in vulnerable resident populations.
Stay well and stay informed!
