To isolate or not to isolate? Analysis of data from the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System regarding the placement of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in private rooms in intensive care units.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether isolating patients with MRSA in private rooms in ICUs (or cohorting) is a protective factor for nosocomial MRSA infection.


METHODS
Association between nosocomial MRSA infection rates and ICU structure and process parameters in the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (KISS).


METHODS
Two hundred twelve ICUs participating in KISS in 2001.


METHODS
In June 2001, a structured questionnaire was sent to the participating ICUs regarding their preventive measures, their type and size, their patient-to-personnel ratios, and routine cultures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for nosocomial MRSA infection.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was completed by 164 (77.4%) of the ICUs. These ICUs had 325 nosocomial MRSA infections in a 5-year period (1997 to 2001). The mean incidence density of nosocomial MRSA infections was 0.3/1,000 patient-days. Ninety-one ICUs (55.5%) did not register any nosocomial MRSA infections during the observation period. Forty-two ICUs had an incidence density of at least 0.3/1,000 patient-days (75th percentile). Surgical ICUs were found to be a risk factor for a nosocomial MRSA infection rate above this threshold. Multivariate analysis found surgical ICUs to be an independent predictor and isolation in private rooms (or cohorts) to be a protective factor (OR, 0.36; CI95, 0.17-0.79).


CONCLUSIONS
Many (34.4%) of the German ICUs have not isolated MRSA patients in private rooms or cohorts, a procedure associated with lower MRSA infection rates in this study.
Gastmeier
Petra
P
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Schwab
Frank
F
Geffers
Christine
C
Rüden
Henning
H
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires