Research finds 12% take MRSA home
A recent study shows that 12% of patients discharged from the hospital to home health care are infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).1
The study looked at 1,501 patients who were screened for MRSA prior to discharge to home health care. A total of 191, or 12.7%, of the total number of patients were infected before discharge from the hospital. One year after discharge from the hospital, 75 of the infected patients were clear of the infection.
Household contacts of the 191 MRSA patients also participated in the study. Of these, 36, or 19.1%, acquired MRSA but did not develop an infection. The authors point out that older family members or friends who play a care giving role are more likely to acquire MRSA. Family members who shared a room or a bed with the patient were less likely to acquire MRSA than family members who provide care, so the authors concluded that MRSA is more likely to be transmitted through hand contamination.
The authors recommend that home health staff members and family caregivers use infection prevention methods similar to those used in a hospital setting to prevent transmission of MRSA. This includes hand washing, use of gloves, and disinfection of surfaces that can carry MRSA.
Reference
1. Lucet JC, Paoletti X, Demontpion C, et al. Carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in home care settings. Arch Intern Med 2009; 169:1,372-1,378.
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