[The effect of handwashing improving program and MRSA carrier screening program on the MRSA infection rates in an intensive care unit].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of handwashing improving program and MRSA carrier detection program on MRSA(methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection rate in a intensive care unit.


METHODS
The intervention was Nosocomial Infection(NI) control program consisted of hand washing improving program and identification and treatment of MRSA carrier. Data on the NI and MRSA infections were collected by an infection control nurse based on the definition of CDC. MRSA infection rates were calculated by the number of MRSA infection per 100 admissions or 1,000 patients-days. The difference of MRSA infection rates between pre and post intervention was tested by Chi-square at =.05.


RESULTS
MRSA infection rates 3.0% or 3.2 per 1,000 patient-days at the pre, 4.6% or 3.7 per 1,000 patient-days at the post, and the differences were not statistically significant (p=.411, p=.769 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The handwashing improving program and MRSA carrier detection program was not effective in reducing the Nosocomial Infection(NI) or MRSA infection rates. It is recommended further studies with a longer intervention and follow-up period.
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Korea. ungaekim@pusan.ac.kr
Young-Hae
YH
Kim
Seong-Sook
SS
Jeon
Ihn-Sook
IS
Jeong
Chul-Hoon
CH
Chang
Jeung-Hwa
JH
Kim
Jeong-Ae
JA
Huh