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Prevalence and outcome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in two nursing centers in Georgia
1Medical College of Georgia, Mercer University School of Medicine, and Memorial Medical Center, Savannah 31403-3089, USA.
Objectives:
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and validity of aggressive diagnosing and eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization.
Design:
An observational study of MRSA colonization.
Setting:
Two skilled nursing facilities in Georgia.
Participants:
Eighty-seven residents of the above-mentioned skilled nursing facilities
Intervention:
No changes were made in either nursing facility practices or patient treatments.
Measurements:
The presence or absence of MRSA colonization was determined at the beginning of the study, after hospitalizations or absences from the facility, and 12 months after initial testing.
Results:
Eighty-seven participants began the study, and 56 completed it. At the beginning of the study, 17.9% of the 56 who later completed the study were positive for MRSA. By the end of the study, colonization had decreased to 14.3%. The difference in the number of positive cultures for residents returning from the hospital compared with those returning from non-hospital settings was not statistically significant (P = .546). No deaths or hospitalizations were attributable to MRSA infection.
Conclusion:
Because no significant correlation was found between MRSA colonization and active MRSA-related infections, patients colonized by MRSA should not be barred from admission to nursing homes.