title: Decolonization of orthopedic surgical team S. aureus carriers: impact on surgical-site infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orthopedic surgical-site infection (SSI), mostly due to S. aureus, is recognized as a major adverse event. This research aims to verify the usefulness of surgical team decolonization in order to reduce the risk of surgical-site infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed swabs of both nares and oropharynx to identify S. aureus carriers among orthopedic team members who consented to cooperate with the study. Carriers were treated with local application of mupirocin ointment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retrospective study of 1,000 consecutive patients operated before surgical team decolonization showed 6 per thousand SSIs. Of the 300 cases considered after decolonization, none developed SSI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though we are aware that more data need to be collected, this work might be relevant for the introduction of a new preventive protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, To, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Portigliatti Barbos
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mognetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pecoraro
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Picco
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Veglio
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009824:Ointments; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D009985:Orthopedics; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010820:Physicians; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016712:Mupirocin