To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first cluster
randomized trial to assess the potential benefit of universal
glove and gown use. Other smaller studies suggest that this
intervention may have benefits. A quasiexperimental study
conducted in response to an Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak
found that universal glove and gown use in a medical
ICU was associated with a decrease in MRSA and VRE
acquisition.9 In a single-center trial of 70 pediatric patients,
fewer infections occurredwhenhealth careworkerswere randomized
to use gloves and gowns on individual patients.