Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Care Centers

On February 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infection Control Assessment and Response Program (ICAR) issued a notice on Jan. 31 to alert care centers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released interim guidance on the implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in July 2019. 

MDH has responded to outbreaks of novel or targeted multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in Minnesota care centers, which motivated the agency to issue its notice.

The interim guidance is intended for use during a Containment Response to prevent the spread of MDROs. These are uncommon in Minnesota but can cause difficult- or impossible-to-treat infections and can readily spread in healthcare facilities. The goal of containment is to keep new or rare forms of antibiotic resistance from spreading.

MDH has received several questions on EBP and recommends reviewing this webinar that explains the rationale and implementation of EBP: Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity, Preventing the Spread of Novel or Targeted Multidrug-resistant Organisms in Nursing Homes through Enhanced Barrier Precautions.

Care centers should review the full ICAR notice that lists novel and targeted MDROs, links to additional CDC resources, and provides additional guidance for providers.

For questions, email health.icar@state.mn.us or call MDH at 651-201-5414.