Effect of ablution on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonisation in healthcare workers

Healthcare workers (HCWs) with MRSA nasal colonisation pose a serious threat of passing on the infection to patients. A cross sectional study was designed to investigate the effect of ablution on MRSA nasal colonisation and was conducted at the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University. A total of 220 nasal swab samples, 110 from ablution performing HCWs and 110 from non-ablution performing HCWs were processed for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus and sensitivity testing for Cefoxitin. In the ablution performing group, 11(10%) HCW were harbouring Staphylococcus aureus in their nose, while in non-ablution performing group 32 (29%) HCWs had colonisation of Staphylococcus aureus. Frequency of MRSA colonised HCWs was 9/11 (82%) in ablution performing group, while in the non-ablution group 16/32 (55%) had MRSA in their nose. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the duration of working experience and non-performance of ablution are the potential risk factors.