Discontinuation of contact precautions for patients no longer colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 May;31(5):541-3. doi: 10.1086/652455.

Abstract

To reduce the number of patients with known methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization who are repeatedly placed in isolation on hospital readmission, we screened patients who had no positive results for MRSA culture in the previous 6 months. Twenty-one (21%) of 98 patients were no longer colonized and were removed from contact precautions.

MeSH terms

  • Carrier State* / epidemiology
  • Carrier State* / microbiology
  • Culture Media
  • Hospitalization
  • Hospitals, Teaching
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Nasal Cavity / microbiology*
  • Patient Isolation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology

Substances

  • Culture Media