UW Hospital in Madison, Wis., is now asking all physicians, nurses and visitors to wear gloves and gowns when visiting patients in the intensive care unit, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report.
The initiative is part of a study to determine whether the precaution will help reduce the incidence of infections among ICU patients. If the practice leads to greater infection prevention, it will become a part of every day protocol.
The UW effort is part of a larger CDC-sponsored study called Benefits of Universal Glove and Gowning. UW Hospital and nine other hospitals will study the impact of gloving and gowns for all ICU patients, while 10 other hospitals will study the impact of gloving and gowns for patients with MRSA, C. difficile and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
The initiative is part of a study to determine whether the precaution will help reduce the incidence of infections among ICU patients. If the practice leads to greater infection prevention, it will become a part of every day protocol.
The UW effort is part of a larger CDC-sponsored study called Benefits of Universal Glove and Gowning. UW Hospital and nine other hospitals will study the impact of gloving and gowns for all ICU patients, while 10 other hospitals will study the impact of gloving and gowns for patients with MRSA, C. difficile and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
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