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Control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an Australian metropolitan teaching hospital complex
Abstract:
In April 1982, a patient infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was transferred to the Royal Perth Hospital from the Royal Darwin Hospital. Within three months, 19 patients and four staff members had become infected or colonized with MRSA. The outbreak was terminated only after all colonized inpatients were transferred to a separate isolation unit. After the outbreak, all new patients and new employees who had been in hospitals outside Western Australia in the previous 12 months were screened. From June 1, 1982, to June 30, 1984, 28 of the 649 patients (4.3%) screened on admission to the Royal Perth Hospital were found to be harbouring MRSA. During the same period only one of the 468 persons (0.2%) screened on application for employment at the Hospital was found to be colonized with MRSA. Since the policy of screening new patients and staff from hospitals outside Western Australia was introduced, no serious outbreak of MRSA has occurred.
Insights
A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak at Royal Perth Hospital highlighted the need for screening. Implementing a screening policy for new patients and staff significantly reduced MRSA transmission.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- An MRSA outbreak in 1982 at Royal Perth Hospital demonstrated rapid transmission among patients and staff.
- Controlling MRSA requires effective infection prevention and control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on an MRSA outbreak and the subsequent implementation of a screening policy.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of screening new patients and staff for MRSA colonization.
- To assess the impact of the screening policy on MRSA transmission and outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of an MRSA outbreak from April 1982.
- Implementation of a screening protocol for new patients and employees with recent hospital exposure outside Western Australia.
- Surveillance of MRSA colonization rates in admitted patients and hospital employees from June 1982 to June 1984.
Main Results:
- The initial outbreak involved 19 patients and 4 staff members.
- Post-outbreak screening identified MRSA colonization in 4.3% of new patients and 0.2% of new employees.
- No major MRSA outbreaks have occurred since the screening policy was introduced.
Conclusions:
- Screening of new patients and staff with recent external hospital exposure is an effective strategy for MRSA control.
- Proactive surveillance and screening can prevent the re-emergence of MRSA outbreaks in hospitals.
- Hospital infection control policies must adapt to the evolving threat of antibiotic-resistant organisms.