Methods

Pre-operative PCR nasal screening was performed in 273 Orthopaedic patients awaiting joint replacement surgery. In all 100 patients were positive for S. aureus and enrolled into the study. All enrolled patients received and were instructed to administer the decolonisation regimen for five days. Prior to commencement of the eradication therapy swabs of the anterior nares, throat, and perineum were taken for culture. Further culture swabs were taken at; 48–96 hours after completion of the five-day eradication regimen, at hospital admission for surgery, and at hospital discharge. Patients were followed up for six weeks post-surgery. Following completion of the five-day course patients were asked to provide feedback on their experience using Likert rating scales. The primary outcome of this study was S. aureus clearance 48–96 hours post-completion of eradication therapy.