Successful control of endemic MRSA in a cardiothoracic surgical unit.
After a substantial increase in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, a prospective study was undertaken in early 1986 to ascertain the carrier status of all patients entering the Unit. Of 84 patients, 27.4% were found to carry MRSA and the perineum was the major site of carriage, with 69.6% of MRSA positive cases carrying the organism in this site. As a result of these findings, the period of perioperative antibiotic cover was shortened, whole-body washing of patients with a 1% triclosan preparation was instituted and routine postoperative perineal swabs were taken. During the 18 months after implementation of these policies, a highly significant reduction in the number of MRSA carriers and infections was observed. The monitoring of perineal colonization proved to be a useful marker for increases in MRSA in the Unit.
Brady
L M
LM
St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW.
Thomson
M
M
Palmer
M A
MA
Harkness
J L
JL
D002353:Carrier State; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014260:Triclosan