title: Risk factors for acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by trauma patients in the intensive care unit.
abstract: In a previous study in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, it was demonstrated that trauma patients were at particular risk of becoming colonized by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We examined risk factors for MRSA acquisition in these patients using a cohort study comparing the 31 patients who acquired MRSA with 65 who did not. Data collected included ICU length of stay (LOS), mechanism of trauma, site of injury, type of surgery, trauma severity and antibiotic usage. Odds ratios (OR) were determined and adjusted for LOS. LOS in the ICU was a significant univariate predictor of MRSA acquisition (OR 13.7). When adjusted for LOS, mechanism of trauma (OR 10.4), laparotomy (OR 6.3) and administration of ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (OR 4.5) or glycopeptides (OR 5.9) remained significant. We confirmed our previous finding that LOS was associated with MRSA acquisition. Receipt of antibiotics correlated with reported literature. Novel associations were road trauma as a mechanism and laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. caroline.marshall@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kossmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wesselingh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spelman
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents