Endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a special care baby unit: a 2 year review.
During January 1987, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated for the first time from a baby admitted to the special care baby unit of a large metropolitan hospital. Over a 2 year period, of 1574 babies admitted to the unit, at least 573 (36.4%) became colonized with the organism. Only nine (1.6%) developed significant infectious morbidity and one baby died. Minor infections occurred in a further 35 (6.1%). The outbreak remained uncontrolled despite rigid infection control measures. Subsequent emphasis on hand washing, in-service education and provision of weekly review of the MRSA colonization rates have failed to eliminate the organism from the unit.
Royal Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.
J
J
Webster
J L
JL
Faoagali
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*