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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Survival on Hospital Fomites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Robert Huang
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
Sanjay Mehta
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Diane Weed
Affiliation:
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
Connie Savor Price*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
*
700 Delaware Street, MC-4000, Denver, CO 80204-4507 ([email protected])

Abstract

We examined the duration of survival of 2 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on 3 types of hospital fomites. MRSA survived for 11 days on a plastic patient chart, more than 12 days on a laminated tabletop, and 9 days on a cloth curtain. Irregular surfaces may help harbor organisms in the environment. In addition to contact precautions, MRSA containment during an outbreak should include concurrent environmental decontamination.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2006

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