title: Systematic literature analysis and review of targeted preventive measures to limit healthcare-associated infections by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections in Europe. Many examples have demonstrated that the spread of MRSA within healthcare settings can be reduced by targeted infection control measures. The aim of this systematic literature analysis and review was to summarise the evidence for the use of bacterial cultures for active surveillance the benefit of rapid screening tests, as well as the use of decolonisation therapies and different types of isolation measures. We included 83 studies published between 2000 and 2012. Although the studies reported good evidence supporting the role of active surveillance followed by decolonisation therapy, the effectiveness of single-room isolation was mostly shown in non-controlled studies, which should inspire further research regarding this issue. Overall, this review highlighted that when planning the implementation of preventive interventions, there is a need to consider the prevalence of MRSA, the incidence of infections, the competing effect of standard control measures (e.g. hand hygiene) and the likelihood of transmission in the respective settings of implementation.
authors: Institute of Hygiene, University Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kock
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Becker
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Cookson
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: van Gemert-Pijnen
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Harbarth
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kluytmans
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mielke
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Peters
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Skov
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Struelens
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Tacconelli
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Witte
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Friedrich
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008712:Methicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008712:Methicillin