Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology

Environmental and human health impact of contact precaution use for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycinresistant Enterococcus in Los Angeles County

ABSTRACT
In LA County, contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus require 7.3 million gowns annually generating 506 tons of plastic waste and 1.73 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents, which cause the loss of 4.07 disability-adjusted life-years. Unintended consequences of gown use necessitates exploration of infection prevention alternatives.

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