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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Nursing Home

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Gregory A. Storch ,
Jan L. Radcliff ,
Patricia L. Meyer  and
James H. Hinrichs
Gregory A. Storch*
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; the Department of Nursing, Claywest House, St. Charles, Missouri; and the Infection Control Department, St. Joseph's Health Center, St. Charles, Missouri
Jan L. Radcliff
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; the Department of Nursing, Claywest House, St. Charles, Missouri; and the Infection Control Department, St. Joseph's Health Center, St. Charles, Missouri
Patricia L. Meyer
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; the Department of Nursing, Claywest House, St. Charles, Missouri; and the Infection Control Department, St. Joseph's Health Center, St. Charles, Missouri
James H. Hinrichs
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; the Department of Nursing, Claywest House, St. Charles, Missouri; and the Infection Control Department, St. Joseph's Health Center, St. Charles, Missouri
*
St. Louis Children's Hospital, 400 S. Kingshighway, P.O. Box 14871, St. Louis, MO 63178
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Abstract

During a 13-month period, 25 residents of a nursing home were found to have positive cultures for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including 17 with clinically significant infections. The outbreak came to attention in February 1985 when pneumonia was diagnosed in five residents during a 10-day period, and sputum cultures from all five were positive for MRSA. A survey revealed that nine (12%) of a sample of 74 residents and nine (7%) of 130 personnel had positive cultures for MRSA. Six of nine residents with MRSA detected in the culture survey had not been hospitalized for 6 or more months before the survey, suggesting acquisition of MRSA in the nursing home. Implementation of control measures was associated with a decreased occurrence but not complete elimination of new cases. MRSA in nursing homes is of concern because these institutions might serve as reservoirs for MRSA in the community. Further studies are required to define the magnitude of the problem, as well as optimal control measures.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 1987 , pp. 24 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

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