A Prolonged Outbreak of <i>Pseudomonas Aeruginosa</i> in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Did Staff Fingernails Play a Role in Disease Transmission?

Epidemiological evidence demonstrated an association between acquiring P aeruginosa and exposure to two nurses. Genetic and environmental evidence supported that association and suggested, but did not prove, a possible role for long or artificial fingernails in the colonization of HCWs' hands with P aeruginosa. Requiring short natural fingernails in NICUs is a reasonable policy that might reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.