Gloves, gowns and masks for reducing transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the hospital setting: lack of evidence on their specific effects

Abstract

What is this? Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common hospital-acquired pathogen that increases morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Transmission of MRSA from patient to patient in hospital is common and can occur via contaminated hands, clothing and equipment. Given the large numbers of patients with COVID-19 who will need hospital care, evidence on the prevention or treatment of MRSA may be relevant. In this Cochrane systematic review, the authors searched for research of a wide variety of designs on the effects on MRSA transmission of any person in the hospital setting wearing gloves, gowns or masks. They did not restrict by language of publication and did their searches in June 2015, but they identified no eligible studies.