Research findings suggest there may not be any advantage to screening and identifying MRSA carriers in hospital ICUs without any other contact measures, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Researchers conducted two six-month prospective studies. Outcomes measured included hand hygiene compliance for contacts with MRSA carriers versus contacts with noncarriers. Researchers also measured hand hygiene compliance with identification compared to hand hygiene compliance with non-identification as well as MRSA cross-transmission during these time periods.
Researchers observed 1,326 total hand hygiene opportunities. Hand hygiene compliance for contacts with MRSA carriers was 42.5 percent, compared to 43.1 percent for contacts with noncarriers. There was also no significant difference in hand hygiene compliance during a period of non-identification versus identification (44.8 percent versus 48.5 percent). Lastly, no significant difference was identified in MRSA cross-transmission between the two periods.
Read the study about screening MRSA in hospital ICUs.
Read other coverage about MRSA:
- Wound Dressing With Silver Kills MRSA, Other Antibiotic-Resistance 'Superbugs'
- Honey May Help in Fight Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
- "Active Surveillance," Barrier Precautions Not as Effective in Reducing MRSA, VRE
Researchers conducted two six-month prospective studies. Outcomes measured included hand hygiene compliance for contacts with MRSA carriers versus contacts with noncarriers. Researchers also measured hand hygiene compliance with identification compared to hand hygiene compliance with non-identification as well as MRSA cross-transmission during these time periods.
Researchers observed 1,326 total hand hygiene opportunities. Hand hygiene compliance for contacts with MRSA carriers was 42.5 percent, compared to 43.1 percent for contacts with noncarriers. There was also no significant difference in hand hygiene compliance during a period of non-identification versus identification (44.8 percent versus 48.5 percent). Lastly, no significant difference was identified in MRSA cross-transmission between the two periods.
Read the study about screening MRSA in hospital ICUs.
Read other coverage about MRSA:
- Wound Dressing With Silver Kills MRSA, Other Antibiotic-Resistance 'Superbugs'
- Honey May Help in Fight Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
- "Active Surveillance," Barrier Precautions Not as Effective in Reducing MRSA, VRE