2005 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 32-41
To obtain data on the proper use of precaution gowns, we examined the penetration into four types of precaution gowns by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) mixed in blood and urine. Square pieces of each gown were placed on Mannitol salt agar, and 50μl of 104/ml MRSA was dropped on the gowns. At various times, the number of MRSA, which had penetrated the gowns, was measured. First, after dropping the MRSA mixed in nutrient broth on these gowns, the MRSA immediately penetrated 32.8CFU through the non-waterproof 35% cotton/65% polyester gown. On the other hand, in the waterproof 100% polyester gown, plastic gown, and non-waterproof 15% cotton/85% polyester antibacterial gown, there was no penetration after a 24-hour contact with the MRSA Next,when we dropped the MRSA mixed in blood or urine on the non-waterproof 15% cotton/85% polyester antibacterial gown, the MRSA in the blood penetrated 42.3CFU, while the MRSA in the urine penetrated 23.0CFU. On the other hand, there was no penetration into the 100% polyester gown, or the plastic gown by the MRSA in the blood or the urine. Based on these results, health-workers should wear the waterproof gowns, if there is the possibility of coming into contact with blood or urine during nursing care. In addition, these findings suggest that wearing the antibacterial gowns during nursing care of MRSA-infected patients does not guarantee complete protection from infection.
