[Prevention of transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection: standard precautions instead of isolation: a 6-year surveillance in a university hospital]

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate whether the risk of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increased compared to reference data when standard precautions are practiced instead of strict or contact isolation.

Methods: From 2000 through 2005, all patients with MRSA at a university hospital were prospectively surveyed. The isolates were investigated using molecular microbiology methods (PFGE, PCR) and compliance with hand hygiene was indirectly monitored using the consumption of disinfection solutions and glove use as surrogate markers.

Results: The MRSA rates of the 797 patients were lower than for the reference data (PEG, KISS), the incidence of MRSA infections was reduced continuously, MRSA transmissions to contact patients could be demonstrated in about 30%, and the consumption of hand disinfection solutions as well as gloves was significantly higher in 2005 compared to 2000.

Conclusions: There is no evidence from our results that practicing standard precautions would increase the risk for the acquisition of MRSA compared to strict or contact isolation.