Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T23:24:47.868Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Routine Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Patients Newly Admitted to an Acute Rehabilitation Unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Farrin A. Manian*
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Control, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Diane Senkel
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Control, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Jeanne Zack
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Control, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Lynn Meyer
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Control, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri
*
621 S. New Ballas, St. Louis, MO 63141

Abstract

Background:

Following an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in our acute rehabilitation unit in 1987, all patients except in-house transfers (because of their low prevalence of MRSA colonization) underwent MRSA screening cultures on admission.

Objectives:

To better characterize the current profile of patients with positive MRSA screening cultures at the time of admission to our acute rehabilitation unit, and to determine the relative yield of nares, perianal, and wound screening cultures in this population.

Methods:

Prospective chart review with ongoing active surveillance for infections associated with the acute rehabilitation unit.

Results:

The rate of MRSA isolation from one or more body sites increased significantly from 5% (1987–1988) to 12% (1999–2000) (P = .0009) for newly admitted patients and from 0% to 7% (P < .0001) for in-house transfers. A negative nares culture was highly predictive (98%) of a negative perianal culture. Prior history of MRSA infection or colonization and transfer from outside sources were independently associated with positive MRSA screening cultures.

Conclusion:

The rate of MRSA isolation from screening cultures of newly admitted patients, including in-house transfers, has increased significantly during the past decade in our acute rehabilitation unit. When paired with nares cultures, perianal cultures were of limited value in this patient population.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Mylotte, JM, Graham, R, Kahler, L, Young, L, Goodnough, S. Epidemiology of nosocomial infection and resistant organisms in patients admitted for the first time to an acute rehabilitation unit. Clin Infect Dis 2000;30:425432.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Bradley, SF. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: long-term care concerns. Am J Med 1999;106(5A):2S10S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Maeder, K, Ginunas, VJ, Montgomerie, JZ, Canawati, HN. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in patients with spinal cord injury. Paraplegia 1993;31:639644.Google ScholarPubMed
4.Meyer, L, Manian, F, Rinke, D, Laws, B. Routine oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening of newly-admitted patients to a rehabilitation unit. Am J Infect Control 1989;17:117. Abstract.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Pick, FCM, Rose, M, Wang, D, Gardner, BP, Gillett, AP. The prevention of spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a spinal injuries center. Paraplegia 1994;32:732735.Google Scholar
6.Mylotte, JM, Kahler, L, Graham, R, Young, L, Goodnough, S. Prospective surveillance of antibiotic-resistant organisms in patients with spinal cord injury admitted to an acute rehabilitation unit. Am J Infect Control 2000; 28:291297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Garner, JS, Jarvis, WR, Emori, TG, Horan, TC, Hughes, JM. CDC definition for nosocomial infections, 1988. Am J Infect Control 1988;16:128140.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus rates increase 260% in hospitals participating in HIP's international monitoring systems. Focus Newsletter 2000;9(May-June): 12.Google Scholar
9.Aeilts, GD, Sapico, FL, Canawati, HN, Malik, GM, Montgomerie, JZ. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in a rehabilitation facility. J Clin Microbiol 1982;16:218223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Stineman, MG, Escarce, JJ, Tassoni, CJ, Goin, JE, Granger, CV, Williams, SV. Diagnostic coding and medical rehabilitation length of stay: their relationship. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1998;79:241248.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed