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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
A prospective study of the case-notes of MRSA-positive patients: a vehicle of MRSA spread
N Hamza1, G Bazoua, Y Al-Shajerie
1Department of General Surgery, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, UK. nrri5@hotmail.com
Introduction:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has received much publicity and remains a major problem for the health service. The aim of this study was to determine whether case-notes of MRSA-positive patients can act as a vehicle for MRSA transmission.
Patients And Methods:
A prospective study was performed of patients with active MRSA infection identified from a microbiology department database. Two swabs were taken from the cover of the case-notes and the page with the most recent entry for identification of MRSA using MRSA ID (Chromogenic agar medium), Pastorex and DNase tests. Positive case-notes were re-swabbed 96 h later.
Results:
A total of 50 MRSA-positive patients were identified from medical, surgical, high dependency and intensive care wards. Three sets of notes were MRSA positive (3/50; 6%). None of the positive case-notes was positive on re-swabbing at 96 h.
Conclusions:
Case-notes of MRSA-positive patients can act as carriers of MRSA with the potential to spread MRSA to both healthcare and non-healthcare workers without direct contact with infected patients. We recommend extending the universal precautions to the handling of case-notes belonging to MRSA-infected patients.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can contaminate patient case notes, posing a transmission risk. Universal precautions should include handling these notes to prevent MRSA spread.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant healthcare concern.
- The potential for MRSA transmission via patient case notes requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if patient case notes serve as a vehicle for MRSA transmission.
- To assess the risk of MRSA spread from case notes to healthcare workers.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of MRSA-positive patients.
- Swabbing of case note covers and recent entries for MRSA detection.
- Re-swabbing positive case notes after 96 hours.
Main Results:
- MRSA was detected on 6% of case notes from MRSA-positive patients.
- No MRSA was detected on re-swabbing positive case notes after 96 hours.
- Study involved 50 MRSA-positive patients across various hospital wards.
Conclusions:
- Patient case notes can act as MRSA carriers, potentially spreading the bacteria.
- Healthcare and non-healthcare workers may be at risk without direct patient contact.
- Recommend extending universal precautions to handling MRSA patient case notes.
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