Successful control of endemic MRSA in a cardiothoracic surgical unit
Brady, L.M.; Thomson, M.; Palmer, M.A.; Harkness, J.L.
Medical Journal of Australia 152(5): 240-245
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 2255283 Document Number: 347707
After a substantial increase in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, (New South Wales, Australia), a prospective study was undertaken in early 1986 to ascertain the carrier status of all patients entering the Unit. Of 84 patients, 27.4% were found to carry MRSA and the perineum was the major site of carriage, with 69.6% of MRSA positive cases carrying the organism in this site. As a result of these findings, the period of perioperative antibiotic cover was shortened, whole-body washing of patients with a 1% triclosan preparation was instituted and routine postoperative perineal swabs were taken. During the 18 months after implementation of these policies, a highly significant reduction in the number of MRSA carriers and infections was observed. The monitoring of perineal colonization proved to be a useful marker for increases in MRSA in the Unit.