IngentaConnect Reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patie...

Authors: Johnston, P.¹; Norrish, A.R.¹; Brammar, T.¹; Walton, N.¹; Hegarty, T.A.¹; Coleman, N.P.¹

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 87, Number 2, March 2005 , pp. 123-125(3)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Abstract:

Introduction: To assess the effectiveness of infection control measures (pre-admission screening and patient segregation) on reducing in-patient exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Patients and Methods: A prospective case-control study in a district general hospital. All admissions to 3 wards over an 83-month period from September 1995 to July 2002 inclusive (a total of approximately 34,000 patients). Outcome measures were a statistical analysis of the difference in numbers of new cases of MRSA colonisation or infection between the 3 wards.

Results: There was a statistical significance in incidence of new MRSA cases between the ward with active infection control measures in place and the control wards.

Conclusions: The described infection control measures reduced the exposure of patients to MRSA. This reduces the risk of MRSA infection, which is of importance in orthopaedics, and has further benefits that may also be applied in other surgical specialties.

Keywords: METHICILLIN RESISTANCE; DRUG RESISTANCE; BACTERIAL; INFECTION CONTROL; HOSPITAL INFECTIONS; MRSA

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1308/1478708051586

Affiliations: 1: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, UK

Reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patient exposure by infection control measures