If a patient in a facility is colonized or infected with MRSA or VRE, what do their visitors/family members need to know?
In general, healthy people are at low risk of getting infected with MRSA or VRE. Therefore, casual contact – such as kissing, hugging, and touching – is acceptable. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving an infected person’s room. Also, disposable gloves should be worn if contact with body fluids is expected. (If excessive contact with body fluids is expected, gowns should also be worn.) It is also acceptable for infants and children to have casual contact with these patients.
In general, healthy people are at low risk of getting infected with MDROs. Therefore, casual contact – such as kissing, hugging, and touching – is acceptable. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving an infected person’s room. Also, disposable gloves should be worn if contact with body fluids is expected. (If excessive contact with body fluids is expected, gowns should also be worn.) It is also acceptable for infants and children to have casual contact with these patients.
