Handwashing and glove use in a long-term-care facility--Maryland, 1992.

Residents of long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) are at risk for acquiring facility-associated infections and consequent mortality (1,2). Despite this risk, no national guidelines exist for infection-control practices in LTCFs, and information regarding the nature of infection-control practices in LTCFs is limited. To evaluate glove use and handwashing practices in an LTCF, and to determine factors associated with compliance with infection-control policies and the frequency of microbial transmission, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and CDC staff observed glove use and handwashing practices on a chronic-care ward of an LTCF in Maryland for a 1-month period during 1992. This report summarizes the findings of this study.