Predictive factors of acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a rehabilitation care unit

Controlling the diffusion of multiresistant bacteria is a priority in the campaign against nosocomial infections Geriatric units seem to be reservoirs of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Objective - The first objective of this study was to determine if some characteristics identified on admission in a rehabilitation care unit could influence the colonization by the bacterium and to define the rate of importation and acquired-infections The second objective was to evaluate the preventive effects of enhanced cleaning with hydro-alcoholic solution in comparison with our previous study made five years before Method - One hundred and eighty-eight patients (mean age 83 75+/-7 35 years) were included Results - The rates of importation and colonization were respectively of 22 4% and 25 5% The predictive factors of acquisition were dependence, malnutrition presence of urinary catheter and chronic wounds The comparison with data collected five years earlier showed a reduction of colonization rates from 44 to 25% Comments - Our study highlights the important role of hand contamination in colonization of the MRSA especially for dependant patients and shows the importance of hand hygiene compliance, as well as maintaining autonomy among old patients The use of hydro alcoholic solution in association with the reinforcement of hospital hygiene measures led to the decrease of acquired-infection rate (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved