In case of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus), VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) or Candida auris, contact precautions are needed in healthcare facilities to protect other patients and staff. Isolation precautions result in patient inconvenience and fears, additional workload and costs in both, inpatient and outpatient settings. For many patients, isolation precautions can be terminated after a certain number of negative swab sets.
For MRSA-colonized patients, decolonization can be discussed and planned. This includes various measures at home over several days with the aim of eliminating the bacterium.