title: [Guidelines for prevention, control and treatment of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)].
abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen throughout the world, and in Croatia as well. Therefore it was decided to develop guidelines with the aim to reduce the number of patients infected/colonized with MRSA in healthcare facilities and in nursing homes in Croatia, consequently reducing MRSA-related morbidity and mortality. An interdisciplinary team of experts developed these guidelines using existing international guidelines from different countries, and literature reviews about prevention, control, treatment and laboratory diagnosis of MRSA infections. Grades of evidence for specific recommendations were determined using CDC/HICPAC grading system. Categorization is based on existing data, theoretical basis, applicability and economic impact. After a broad discussion in different professional societies, Guidelines were accepted. Guidelines include recommendations for measures in prevention of MRSA spread, role of hospital management, rational use of antibiotics, measures in a case of outbreak, treatment of infections and brief review of community-acquired MRSA. At the end, appendices concerning hospital audit, algorithms of laboratory diagnosis, patient information and form for national MRSA surveillance were added.
authors.affiliation: Klinicki zavod za klinicku i molekularnu mikrobiologiju, Klinicki bolnicki centar Zagreb, Zagreb.
authors.forename: Smilja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalenić
authors.forename: Marina Payerl
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Vera Vlahović
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Palcevski
authors.forename: Jasminka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horvatić
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mestrović
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barsić
authors.forename: Valerija
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stamenić
authors.forename: Borislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aleraj
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buljan
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grzalja
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Burcar
authors.forename: Andelko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korusić
authors.forename: Marinko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vucić
authors.forename: Rok
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Civljak
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stancić
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budimir
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*