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C Conquest

Publications and source records attributed to C Conquest.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Strategies for the management of healthcare staff colonized with epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

An outbreak of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused by EMRSA-16 has affected hospitals in north east Northamptonshire since April 1991. Between the start of the outbreak and December 1995, 74 healthcare staff (0.9% of the staff screened) were colonized by the outbreak strain. Thirty-two percent of colonized staff were excluded from work, and six were excluded for periods of longer than three weeks. Twenty-four percent of staff had more than one course of treatment to eradicate carriage. The contribution of staff carriage in hospitals where EMRSA-16 is endemic and strategies for the management of colonized staff are discussed. We conclude that screening of staff has a limited role in the control of outbreaks caused by EMRSA-16 and that when resources for screening are scarce priority should be given to patients.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

A major outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus caused by a new phage-type (EMRSA-16)

An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection caused by a novel phage-type (now designated EMRSA-16) occurred in three hospitals in East Northamptonshire over a 21-month period (April 1991--December 1992). Four hundred patients were colonized or infected. Seven patients died as a direct result of infection. Chest infections were significantly associated with the outbreak strain when compared with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Twenty-seven staff and two relatives who cared for patients were also colonized. A 'search and destroy' strategy, as advocated in the current UK guidelines for control of epidemic MRSA was implemented after detection of the first case. Despite extensive screening of staff and patients and isolation of colonized and infected patients, the outbreak strain spread to all wards of the three hospitals except paediatrics and maternity. A high incidence of throat colonization (51%) was observed. Failure to recognize the importance of this until late in the outbreak contributed to the delay in containing its spread. Key parts of the strategy which eventually contained the local outbreak were the establishment of isolation wards in two hospitals, treatment of all colonized patients and staff to eradicate carriage and screening of all patients upon discharge from wards where MRSA had ever been detected. EMRSA-16 spread to neighbouring hospitals by early 1992 and to London and the South of England by 1993. It is distinguished from other epidemic strains by its characteristic phage-type, antibiogram (susceptibility to tetracycline and resistance to ciprofloxacin), and in the pattern given on pulse field electrophoresis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: controlling the spread outside hospital.

Over a 21-month period an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection occurred in east Northamptonshire. The outbreak was caused by a novel phage-type (EMRSA-16) and affected 400 patients. It was centred on three hospitals but spread was also detected in the community, particularly among clients of nursing and residential homes. Three hundred and fifty residents in 15 care homes were screened for MRSA. Cross-infection of MRSA was demonstrated in 14 patients in six different homes. A key aspect of the overall containment of the outbreak was the implementation of infection control measures in the community, together with treatment and screening of known positive patients following their discharge from hospital.

Community-Acquired Infections↗