PubMed · 6177734
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
C A Mackintosh. 1982. A testing time for gowns?. https://doi.org/10.1016/0195-6701(82)90025-1
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Colonization of residents of long-term care facilities with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important healthcare concern. MRSA colonization is prevalent; in two of the most common sites of colonization, nares and wounds, colonization rates range from 8% to 53%, and 30% to 82%, respectively. With such a large number of patients harboring the organism, it is imperative that long-term care facilities are knowledgeable regarding the overall significance of MRSA, are aware of MRSA infection rates at their facilities, and have established a threshold above which outbreak precautions will be instituted. More importantly, facilities must ensure that appropriate precautions (e.g., hand washing, glove changes, gowns) are utilized to prevent transmission of MRSA to noncolonized residents. If these basic measures are taken, MRSA-colonized residents of long-term facilities should be able to be fully integrated into the everyday activities within the long-term care environment. In the event of an outbreak of MRSA infection, stricter isolation of colonized and infected residents is warranted, and such isolation should be discontinued as soon as the chain of transmission has been disrupted. Systemic antibiotics should be avoided in asymptomatic colonized patients; topical antibiotics like mupirocin should be reserved for short-term administration in outbreak situations.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of nosocomial infections. Healthcare professionals in the United States should develop programs to prevent transmission of this organism within their institutions. Aggressive control efforts are justified for several reasons: (1) the incidence of nosocomial MRSA reflects the general effectiveness of infection control practice; (2) MRSA do not replace susceptible strains but instead increase the overall rate of nosocomial S. aureus infections; (3) MRSA infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality; (4) serious MRSA infections must be treated with vancomycin. Thus, in hospitals with high rates of MRSA, use of this antimicrobial agent increases, which in turn may increase the risk for selecting vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Hospitals have used numerous different approaches to control nosocomial spread of MRSA. Staff should choose a control method based on the prevalence of MRSA in their institution and in their referring facilities, the rate of nosocomial transmission of MRSA in their hospital, the risk factors present in their patient population, the reservoirs and modes of transmission specific to their hospital, and their resources. Any MRSA control plan must stress adherence to basic infection control measures, such as hand washing and contact isolation precautions. In addition, decolonization of patients and staff, control of antimicrobial use, surveillance cultures, and molecular typing may be helpful adjuncts.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.