Outbreak of nosocomial infections with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (MRSA) in an orthopaedic-septic care unit - Measures for eradication and following studies of colonisation

An outbreak due to a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain in an orthopaedic septic care unit was observed. 17 patients developed wound infections. Stronger regime of hygiene and chemotherapy and new technics of operations timed the outbreak within 5 months. Studies of colonisation were performed at the care unit in march, june and august 1992. 618 isolates were investigated from patients, personnel and their environment. The frequencies of detected MRSA diminished from 30% in march only to 22% in august 1992. The long time persistance of endemic MRSA in a care facility was evident from the presence of MRSA even 5 months after the last infection.