About one in four nursing home residents are carriers of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which may result from oblivious caregivers spreading the infection by neglecting simple precautions, researchers writing in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found. 

Of the 403 residents studied, 28% acquired MRSA, likely transmitted via caregivers’ contaminated gloves. 

The infection is most commonly transferred while caregivers are dressing or transferring residents, brushing their teeth or combing their hair, and changing linens.