Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Acquisition Rate Research Articles

Randomized Comparison of 2 Protocols to Prevent Acquisition of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus: Results of a 2-Center Study Involving 500 Patients

To compare an interventional protocol with a standard protocol for preventing the acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, nonblinded clinical trial. Medical ICUs of 2 French university hospitals. Five hundred adults with an expected length of stay in the ICU greater than 48 hours. For the intervention group, the protocol required repeated MRSA screening, contact and droplet isolation precautions for patients at risk for MRSA at ICU admission and for MRSA-positive patients, and decontamination with nasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine body wash for MRSA-positive patients. For the standard group, the standard precautions protocol was used, and the results of repeated MRSA screening in the standard group were not communicated to investigators. MRSA acquisition rate in the ICU. An audit was conducted to assess compliance with hygiene and isolation precautions. In the intent-to-treat analysis ([Formula: see text]), the MRSA acquisition rate in the ICU was similar in the standard (13 [5.3%] of 243) and intervention (16 [6.5%] of 245) groups ([Formula: see text]). The audit showed that the overall compliance rate was 85.5% in the standard group and 84.1% in the intervention group ([Formula: see text]), although compliance was higher when isolation precautions were absent than when they were in place (88.2% vs 79.1%; [Formula: see text]). MRSA incidence rates were higher without isolation precautions (7.57‰) than with isolation precautions (2.36‰; [Formula: see text]). Individual allocation to MRSA screening, isolation precautions, and decontamination do not provide individual benefit in reducing MRSA acquisition, compared with standard precautions, although the collective risk was lower during the periods of isolation. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00151606.

Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Patients in an Ambulatory Hemodialysis Center

To describe the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage and transmission in an ambulatory hemodialysis population. Prospective cohort study. Outpatient hemodialysis facility affiliated with a large academic medical center. Of the 170 facility patients, 103 (61%) participated in the study. Swab specimens of the nares, axillae, and vascular access site were collected from participants weekly for 3 weeks and then monthly for 5 months. Demographic and clinical data were collected monthly for 12 months. Molecular analysis of MRSA isolates was performed. The baseline MRSA carriage prevalence was 12%. Factors associated with MRSA carriage included a history of MRSA; failed renal transplantation; hospital admission within 6 months; and receipt of a first-generation cephalosporin, cefepime, or vancomycin. Six subjects acquired MRSA after enrollment (incidence, 1.2 per 100 patient-months at-risk; overall prevalence, 18%). Molecular analysis suggested that transmission occurred within the facility. The incidence of MRSA infection among carriers was 1.76 per 100 patient-months. Community-associated strains (ie, USA300) were isolated from 28% of carriers and at least 25% of infections. The prevalence of MRSA carriage and the incidence of infection among carriers were high among ambulatory hemodialysis patients, and community-associated MRSA was responsible for a large portion of the MRSA burden. A relatively high rate of MRSA acquisition was observed, with indirect evidence of intrafacility transmission. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and to identify effective and feasible methods to prevent MRSA transmission and infection among hemodialysis patients.

MRSA admission burden and acquision in a tertiary care hospital

The burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) impacts on the effectiveness of infection control strategies to prevent MRSA transmission. Few studies examining the admission and acquisition burden of MRSA exist. We investigated the prevalence of MRSA in patients admitted to a tertiary referral hospital that does not conduct universal screening, to determine the MRSA admission burden and acquisition rate.

Colonization pressure adjusted by degree of environmental contamination: A better indicator for predicting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition

Colonization pressure has been confirmed as an important risk factor for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition among inpatients, but their precise relationship has not been well investigated. Because MRSA carriers can disperse MRSA into their immediate environment with different abilities, the relationship among colonization pressure, the degree of MRSA contamination in environment surrounding MRSA carriers, and MRSA transmission should be explored to facilitate efficient implementation of infection control measures. Active MRSA screening and environmental sampling were performed in a 23-bed emergency ward (EW) and a 7-bed respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) between March 2009 and February 2010. Weekly colonization pressure (WCP) was modified to WCPe (WCP adjusted by degree of environmental contamination). Receiver operating characteristic curve and correlation analyses were used to analyze the accuracy of WCPe in predicting MRSA acquisition and their correlation, respectively. We found that 34.1% (858/2,520) of the immediate environmental sites of MRSA-positive patients were contaminated with MRSA. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of WCPe reached as high as 0.784 (95% confidence interval, 0.659-0.909; P < .01) for the EW and 0.866 (95% confidence interval, 0.766-0.967; P < .01) for the RICU. Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) indicated a positive and significant correlation between WCPe and MRSA acquisition rate in the subsequent weeks for both the EW (r = 0.45; P = .001) and RICU (r = 0.51; P < .001). Active MRSA screening combined with targeted environmental contamination monitoring could be a more efficient measure for determining the magnitude of the MRSA reservoir in wards occupied by MRSA carriers. WCPe showed moderate prediction accuracy for both the EW and the RICU, and a threshold WCPe value may be used as a predictor to enhance infection control measures, especially for medical facilities without a sufficient number of single rooms.

Impact of a Mandatory Infection Control Education Program on Nosocomial Acquisition of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus

To assess the impact of an institution-wide infection control education program on the rate of transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Before-and-after study. A 472-bed, urban, university-affiliated hospital.Intervention. During the period March-May 2004, all hospital staff completed a mandatory infection control education program, including the receipt of hospital-specific MRSA data and case-based practice with additional precautions. The rate of nosocomial MRSA acquisition was calculated as the number of cases of nosocomial MRSA acquisition per 100 days that a person with MRSA colonization or infection detected at admission is present in the hospital ("admission MRSA" exposure-days) for 3 time periods: June 2002-February 2003 (before the Toronto outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]), June 2003-February 2004 (after the outbreak of SARS), and June 2004-February 2005 (after education). A case of nosocomial acquisition of MRSA colonization or infection represented a patient first identified as colonized or infected more than 72 hours after admission or at admission after a previous hospitalization. The rate of nosocomial acquisition of MRSA colonization or infection was 8.8 cases per 100 admission MRSA exposure-days for the period before SARS, 3.8 cases per 100 admission MRSA exposure-days for the period after SARS (P<.001 for before SARS vs after SARS), and 1.9 cases per 100 admission MRSA exposure-days for the period after education (P=.02 for after education vs before education). The volume of alcohol-based handrub purchased was apparently stable, with 4,010 L during fiscal year 2003-2004 (April 2003-March 2004) compared with 3,780 L during fiscal year 2004-2005. The observed rate of compliance with hand washing did not change significantly (40.9% during education vs 44.2% after education; P=.23). The total number of patients screened for MRSA colonization was not different in the 3 periods. The rate of nosocomial acquisition of MRSA colonization or infection decreased after SARS and was further reduced in association with a hospital-wide education program.

Cost‐Effectiveness of Telavancin versus Vancomycin for Treatment of Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections

To determine the cost-effectiveness of telavancin versus vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs). Pharmacoeconomic analysis conducted from the hospital's perspective using data from the Assessment of Telavancin in Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ATLAS) phase III clinical trial. One hundred twenty-nine hospitals in the United States and internationally. A total of 1044 clinically evaluable patients who were hospitalized with a cSSSI during the ATLAS trial and who received at least one dose of telavancin or vancomycin in the hospital. Diagnosis-related group-specific hospital bed costs, antibiotic acquisition prices, and cost of vancomycin monitoring were applied to the resource utilization data collected during the ATLAS trial. Infection-related length of stay (LOS(ir)) and hospitalization costs (COST(ir)) were compared between the telavancin (514 patients) and vancomycin (530 patients) groups. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for the total population and a subset of patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by using a 25,000-sample bootstrap analysis. During sensitivity analyses, the daily acquisition price for telavancin was increased from the equivalent to vancomycin ($13.44) to $50, $100, $150, or $200, and the rate of MRSA acquisition was varied between 30% and 75%. The median (interquartile range) LOS(ir) was 8 days (6-12 days) for both telavancin and vancomycin (p=0.742), and median (interquartile range) COST(ir) was $8118 ($6291-11,758) and $8185 ($6474-11,405), respectively (p=0.560). Similar findings were observed for the MRSA subset. Telavancin cost-effectiveness was greater for the MRSA population versus the total population. During bootstrap analyses of the MRSA population, the ICER for telavancin ranged from dominant (-$9560) to $27,889 as acquisition price was increased. Telavancin LOS(ir) and total COST(ir) were similar to those of vancomycin for the treatment of cSSSIs. Particularly in those infected with MRSA, telavancin may be more cost-effective than vancomycin over the range of acquisition prices tested.

Dépistage systématique du portage nasal du Staphyloccocus aureus résistant à la méticilline (SARM) chez les patients hospitalisés en dermatologie : expérience de l’hôpital Saint-Louis

In a bid to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) more efficiently in our department, we performed a study to 1) clarify the MRSA carriage rate in patients hospitalized in the department; 2) evaluate the rate of MRSA acquisition during hospitalization; 3) describe the MRSA carrier profile; 4) study the morbidity and mortality associated with MRSA.We conducted a three-month prospective study in all patients hospitalized for more than 24hours in the dermatology department of the Saint-Louis Hospital. Nasal swab cultures were performed on the day of admission, once a week thereafter and on the day of discharge. Clinical and epidemiological data were individually reviewed by means of a standardized questionnaire.In 310 patients, the prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage at admission was 6.5%. During hospitalization, 1.9% of our patients became colonized with MRSA. MRSA carriers were significantly older than non-carriers and had been hospitalized more frequently over the previous 12 months, principally in intensive care or in intermediate or long-term care facilities, and erosive and/or ulcerated dermatitis was more common in this population. Of the 27 patients colonized with MRSA, only three had MRSA infections, and these were successfully treated with antibiotics.The observed rate of MRSA carriage was close to that seen in intensive care units (7%). While systematic screening for MRSA in patients with erosive and/or ulcerated dermatitis would allow detection of twice as many cases of MRSA than the usual screening recommendations, this would be associated with little tangible benefit and high costs, and we therefore decided not to change the usual MRSA screening politic in our dermatology department.

Rapid screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) did not reduce MRSA acquisition rate

Source Citation Jeyaratnam D, Whitty CJ, Phillips K, et al. Impact of rapid screening tests on acquisition of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: cluster randomised crossover trial. BMJ. 20...

Implementing and improving the efficiency of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus active surveillance program using information technology

Background This study investigated implementation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) active surveillance program, evaluated its efficacy in reducing the transmission of this pathogen in a community hospital, and assessed the role of information technology (decision support rules and an electronic health record) in improving the program's efficiency. Methods A descriptive review of this interventional quality improvement initiative was conducted. Outcomes evaluated include MRSA acquisition rates, time savings, and staff satisfaction. Results Overall MRSA acquisition rates declined in 3 medical units (57 total beds) following the application of information technology to a MRSA surveillance program (χ 2 = 15.6, df=1; P Conclusions An active surveillance program can reduce the transmission of MRSA to noninfected, noncolonized patients in a community hospital. The application of information technology, specifically using decision support rules within electronic health records that automatically task clinicians to obtain cultures, can improve the efficiency and outcomes of an active surveillance program.

Universal Screening for Methicillin-Resistant &lt;emph type="ital"&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/emph&gt; at Hospital Admission and Nosocomial Infection in Surgical Patients

Experts and policy makers have repeatedly called for universal screening at hospital admission to reduce nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. To determine the effect of an early MRSA detection strategy on nosocomial MRSA infection rates in surgical patients. Prospective, interventional cohort study conducted between July 2004 and May 2006 among 21 754 surgical patients at a Swiss teaching hospital using a crossover design to compare 2 MRSA control strategies (rapid screening on admission plus standard infection control measures vs standard infection control alone). Twelve surgical wards including different surgical specialties were enrolled according to a prespecified agenda, assigned to either the control or intervention group for a 9-month period, then switched over to the other group for a further 9 months. During the rapid screening intervention periods, patients admitted to the intervention wards for more than 24 hours were screened before or on admission by rapid, multiplex polymerase chain reaction. For both intervention (n=10 844) and control (n=10 910) periods, standard infection control measures were used for patients with MRSA in all wards and consisted of contact isolation of MRSA carriers, use of dedicated material (eg, gown, gloves, mask if indicated), adjustment of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis of MRSA carriers, computerized MRSA alert system, and topical decolonization (nasal mupirocin ointment and chlorhexidine body washing) for 5 days. Incidence of nosocomial MRSA infection, MRSA surgical site infection, and rates of nosocomial acquisition of MRSA. Overall, 10 193 of 10 844 patients (94%) were screened during the intervention periods. Screening identified 515 MRSA-positive patients (5.1%), including 337 previously unknown MRSA carriers. Median time from screening to notification of test results was 22.5 hours (interquartile range, 12.2-28.2 hours). In the intervention periods, 93 patients (1.11 per 1000 patient-days) developed nosocomial MRSA infection compared with 76 in the control periods (0.91 per 1000 patient-days; adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.69; P = .29). The rate of MRSA surgical site infection and nosocomial MRSA acquisition did not change significantly. Fifty-three of 93 infected patients (57%) in the intervention wards were MRSA-free on admission and developed MRSA infection during hospitalization. A universal, rapid MRSA admission screening strategy did not reduce nosocomial MRSA infection in a surgical department with endemic MRSA prevalence but relatively low rates of MRSA infection. isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN06603006.

Increase in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Acquisition Rate and Change in Pathogen Pattern Associated with an Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Background. An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in our 22-bed intensive care unit (ICU; Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China) from 12 March to 31 May 2003, when only patients with SARS were admitted. This period was characterized by the upgrading of infection control precautions, which included the wearing of gloves and gowns all the time, an extensive use of steroids, and a change in antibiotic prescribing practices. The pattern of endemic pathogenic organisms, the rates of acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were compared with those of the pre-SARS and post-SARS periods.Methods. Data on pathogenic isolates were obtained from the microbiology department (Prince of Wales Hospital). Data on MRSA acquisition and VAP rates were collected prospectively. MRSA screening was performed for all ICU patients. A case of MRSA carriage was defined as an instance in which MRSA was recovered from any site in a patient, and cases were classified as imported or ICU-acquired if the first MRSA isolate was recovered within 72 h of ICU admission or after 72 h in the ICU, respectively.Results. During the SARS period in the ICU, there was an increase in the rate of isolation of MRSA and Stenotrophomonas and Candida species but a disappearance of Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species. The MRSA acquisition rate was also increased: it was 3.53% (3.53 cases per 100 admissions) during the pre-SARS period, 25.30% during the SARS period, and 2.21% during the post-SARS period (P < .001). The VAP rate was high, at 36.5 episodes per 1000 ventilator-days, and 47% of episodes were caused by MRSA.Conclusions. A SARS outbreak in the ICU led to changes in the pathogen pattern and the MRSA acquisition rate. The data suggest that MRSA cross-transmission may be increased if gloves and gowns are worn all the time.

Controlling methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a feedback approach using annotated statistical process control charts.

To investigate the benefit of a hospitalwide feedback program regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), using annotated statistical process control charts. Retrospective and prospective analysis of MRSA rates using statistical process control charts. Twenty-four medical, medical specialty, surgical, intensive care, and cardiothoracic care wards and units at four Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospitals. Annotated control charts were applied to prospective and historical monthly data on MRSA cases from each ward and unit during a 46-month period from January 1997 through September 2000. Results were fed back from December 1999 and then on a regular monthly basis to medical staff, ward managers, senior managers, and hotel services. Monthly reductions in the MRSA acquisition rate started 2 months after the introduction of the feedback program and have continued to the present time. The overall MRSA rate currently is approximately 50% lower than when the program began and has become more consistent and less variable within departments throughout Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The control charts have helped to detect rate changes and manage resources more effectively. Medical and nursing staff and managers also report that they find this the most positive form of MRSA feedback they have received. Feedback programs that provide current information to front-line staff and incorporate annotated control charts can be effective in reducing the rate of MRSA.

Management and epidemiologic analyses of an outbreak due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

purpose: Following implementation of special measures to control a nosocomial outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), we used immunoblot typing in conjunction with antimicrobial susceptibility testing to investigate the epidemiology of this event and to determine whether this outbreak represented the failure of infection control measures to limit the spread of previously endemic MRSA strains or the introduction of a new strain of MRSA. materials and methods: Isolates of MRSA recovered from hospitalized patients were initially categorized on the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility results. Organisms susceptible to ciprofloxacin and/or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were recovered from patients at a relatively constant rate prior to December 1988 and were categorized as endemic isolates. Subsequently, there was an outbreak due to organisms resistant to both of these antibiotics; these were therefore categorized as outbreak isolates. Isolates were later characterized by immunoblot typing. Prior to this analysis, isolates were given code numbers so that clinical and epidemiologic data as well as resistance patterns were not known until this testing was complete. results: Between January 1986 and November 1988, an average of 3.9 patients per month acquired nosocomial MRSA in the Sepulveda Veterans Administration Medical Center. In contrast, from December 1988 to October 1989, 369 MRSA isolates were collected from 125 patients (an average of 11.4 patients per month). Prior to December 1988, all tested nosocomial isolates of MRSA were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and/or to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. In contrast, the outbreak was due to spread of MRSA isolates resistant to these antibiotics. Immunoblot typing of 204 isolates from 98 individuals identified five distinct immunoblot types of which types B and C were by far the most common. Type B was highly associated with outbreak isolates, whereas type C was associated with endemic isolates (p <0.001). All sequential isolates from single patients that belonged to different susceptibility categories demonstrated discordant immunoblot types. In contrast, concordant immunoblot types were observed for 25 of 27 sequential isolates that displayed minor variations in antimicrobial resistance. The institution of more stringent infection control measures was followed by the return of nosocomial MRSA acquisition rates to pre-outbreak levels. Although novobiocin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were extensively used to treat patients harboring outbreak and endemic isolates, respectively, in no instance was the initial MRSA isolate from any patient resistant to novobiecin and only 6% of initial endemic isolates displayed trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance. A modest, significant increase in the resistance of endemic isolates to various other antimicrobial agents was noted however. conclusion: Immunoblot analyses provided strong, corroborative evidence that at least two separate strains of MRSA were present during the outbreak and that a newly introduced strain with a distinctive antimicrobial resistance pattern was primarily responsible for the rapid spread of MRSA during the outbreak. The observation that previously effective infection control measures failed to prevent the nosocomial spread of a newly introduced community-acquired MRSA strain suggests that a single set of control measures may not be equally efficacious against all strains of MRSA. In this regard, previously reported variations in resistance to topical antimicrobials and/or antiseptics, and differences in virulence factors such as colonization potential, invasiveness, and survival on fomites, may warrant further study.