Quarter of MRSA infections in just-admitted patients
Nearly a quarter of all hospital patients with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus have just been admitted, according to data published on BMJ Online First on 9 September.
Researchers analysed data from patients admitted to Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
NHS Trust over a seven-year period, during which time 479 patients with
methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and 116 with MRSA
were admitted from the community. They calculated that this accounted
for 49 per cent of all hospital MSSA cases and 24 per cent of all MRSA
cases. Of these patients, 31 per cent were admitted to renal or oncology
and haematology services, and 69 per cent were admitted as medical or
surgical emergencies.
At least 91 per cent of the infected patients had previously been in hospital;
the median time since discharge was 46 days. In about 50 per cent of cases
MRSA had not previously been isolated.
The authors believe that their data should prompt a review of the clinical
approach to managing MRSA in at-risk populations.
They identified two at-risk groups from their analysis: first, patients
regularly attending hospital for renal, oncology or haematology care and,
secondly, predominantly elderly patients who have had extensive previous
hospital care.
They point out that true communityacquired MRSA cannot be ruled out in
this study. In addition, they had no information on patients’ exposure
to nursing and residential homes. However, they suggest that research
should be undertaken to determine the best way to define and manage these
patients. |
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