The facts about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

1. Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive organism that can be cultured from the anterior nares of 30% to 40% of the general population. S aureus causes about 10% of all nosocomial infections, and is the leading cause of surgical wound infections. 2. Several factors can influence the recovery of MRSA from specimens, including mixed cultures in the person, a person who is an intermittent carrier, and a culture that is taken or transported incorrectly. 3. Two approaches can be used to reduce the risk of cross-transmission of organisms among patients and health-care workers: a generic infection precautions strategy for all patients, and identifying patients infected or colonized with MRSA and treating them differently than other patients.