Colonization of Environmental Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in a Newly Constructed Children's Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> The purpose of this study was to examine prevalence of environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a newly constructed children's outpatient clinic. Viable MRSA on floors and select surfaces in waiting areas and two medical units were compared for the last 3 months of construction through the first 6 months of occupation. <h3>Methods</h3> A total of 52 locations were swabbed weekly, including common areas (floors at check-in desks, waiting rooms, and on children's toys), and on patient room floors, counters, and return air ducts in pulmonary and general medicine units (3 rooms tested in each). Testing was performed during the last 3 months of construction (October-December 2018), and the first 6 months after opening (January - June 2019). HardyCHROM MRSA selective and differential agar media was used to identify viable MRSA. <h3>Results</h3> In common areas, during construction we observed 4/80 (5%) positive swabs for MRSA. After occupation, 72 /208 (35%) positive swabs for MRSA were found in the common areas. In pulmonary unit rooms during construction we observed 3/60 (5%) positive samples for MRSA, and 52/234 (22%) positive samples for MRSA after occupation (p < 0.01). In general medicine rooms during construction we observed 10/60 (17%) positive MRSA samples and 75/234 (32%) positive samples for MRSA after occupation (p < 0.01). Significant differences in the presence of viable MRSA between construction and occupation phases were found in the the common area as well (p < 0.01). <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study shows the rapid colonization of the clinical environment with MRSA within the first 6 months of opening of a children's outpatient clinic. The potential link between environmental bacteria and healthcare-associated infections is an important area of research in infectious disease, particularly for outpatient clinics, requiring monitoring studies such as this.