Endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Nurses' risk perceptions and attitudes

Ana Luisa Pedro; António Sousa-Uva; Elaine Pina

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.07.013

Endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Nurses' risk perceptions and attitudes

Am J Infect Control. 2014 Oct;42(10):1118-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.07.013.

Authors

Ana Luisa Pedro¹, António Sousa-Uva², Elaine Pina³

Affiliations

¹ Infection Control Committee, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: analuisapedro@netcabo.pt.
² Occupational and Environmental Department, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Lisboa, Portugal.
³ Programa de Prevenção e Controlo de Infecção e Resistência aos Antimicrobianos, Direcção Geral de Saúde, Portugal.

PMID: 25278407
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.07.013

Abstract

Dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains one of the most difficult challenges for prevention, control, and treatment of health care-associated infections. A survey and interviews were conducted on nurses from a hospital center. We found that most nurses' perceived risk of acquiring MRSA related to themselves (72%), other nurses (88.5%), and patients (97.8%). This perception influences attitudes, leading to compliance with the existing recommendations.

Keywords: Behavior; Infection control; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Risk perception; Staphylococcus aureus.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel*
Cross Infection / microbiology
Cross Infection / prevention & control*
Cross Infection / transmission
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
Nurses*
Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control*
Staphylococcal Infections / transmission