MRSA in patients presenting with femoral fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To assess MRSA carrier status in patients from different residences presenting with femoral fractures and to assess the incidence of MRSA deep wound infections post-operatively with regard to MRSA status on presentation.


METHODS
One hundred and five patients were screened for MRSA on arrival over a 20-week period. They were then followed up post-operatively to determine the number of patients developing MRSA deep wound infection.


RESULTS
One out of three patients came from an institution (nursing, residential home or hospital). Nearly one in four of these patients were MRSA carriers, compared with a carrier rate of less than 1 in 20 in patients admitted from home. Of the 11 cases presenting as MRSA carriers, two developed a MRSA deep wound infection, compared with 2 out of the 94 patients not colonised with MRSA (X2 p < 0.01).
Levy
B F
BF
Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK. brucelevy22@hotmail.com
Rosson
J W
JW
Blake
A
A
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom