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PREVENTION OF MRSA (METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS) INFECTION AFTER PROSTHETIC JOINT SURGERY BY DEDICATING A WARD TO NON – MRSA COLONISED



Abstract

Since Aug‘03 pre-operative MRSA screening & a ward reserved exclusively for MRSA free joint replacement patients has been used. All postoperative wound infections within 3 months following THR & TKR were monitored.

Before screening, 0.59% of 3386 were acutely infected with MRSA. After institution of study policy, 0.10% of 1034, were infected with MRSA.. This was a 6 fold decrease (p< 0.05). The rate of MRSA infection in a control of hemiarthroplasties was unchanged during this period.

A policy of MRSA screening & an MRSA free joint replacement ward reduces the incidence of acute MRSA infections.

Correspondence should be addressed to SWOC, c/o Mr David Bracey, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ.