Close-proximity interactions (CPI) between patients and hospital staff drove transmission of Staphylococcus aureus in Berck-sur-Mer Hospital, a long-term care facility in France, according to a study published in PLOS Computational Biology. Researchers identified 173 transmission events over four months between 329 patients and 261 healthcare workers, with risk of transmission higher between healthcare workers and patients than from patient to patient. "S. aureus transmission was consistent with contacts defined by electronically collected CPIs, illustrating their potential as a tool to control hospital-acquired infections and help direct surveillance," the authors state. Study abstract