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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Outbreak of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a regional burns unit: management and

Abid Rashid1, Livingstone K Solomon, Harry G Lewis

  • 1Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillofacial Service, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT16 1RH, UK. Abidrashid@aol.com

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|April 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

An epidemic of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a regional burns unit was successfully controlled. This outbreak highlights the significant impact on patient care, staff, and management protocols for burn services.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hospital Epidemiology
  • Burn Care Management

Background:

  • Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common in burn patients, but outbreaks requiring unit closure are rare.
  • An epidemic strain, EMRSA-15, caused a significant MRSA outbreak in a regional adult burns unit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the experience and management of an EMRSA-15 outbreak in a regional adult burns unit.
  • To analyze the implications of the outbreak on patient care, staff, and service provision.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated 176 admitted patients (52 burns, 48 plastic surgery) and 46 staff members for MRSA.
  • Implemented unit closure, staff treatment (nasal mupirocin, triclosan body wash), and unit decontamination.
  • Monitored MRSA isolation rates in patients and staff.

Main Results:

  • MRSA was isolated in 18 patients (12 EMRSA-15) and nine staff members (5 EMRSA-15).
  • The burns unit was closed to new admissions to contain the outbreak.
  • Staff treatment and unit decontamination led to successful outbreak termination, with staff returning to work after one week.

Conclusions:

  • The EMRSA-15 outbreak was successfully controlled through a multi-faceted approach including unit closure and targeted treatment.
  • The study underscores the critical impact of such outbreaks on regional burn services, affecting patient management, staff resources, and the need for robust infection control guidelines.

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