Persistence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in readmitted patients

Publication date: Available online 9 April 2018 Source:Journal of Hospital Infection Author(s): Calvin J. Chiew, Hanley J. Ho, Mar Kyaw Win, Adriana Tan, Jia Wei Lim, Brenda Ang, Angela Chow A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the duration and risk factors for persistence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation among known carriers who were readmitted to hospital. MRSA carriage persisted in a high proportion of known carriers even up to 2 years from their last date of discharge, and readmission screening should be performed for at least this duration. A targeted screening approach should focus on older patients with history of long inpatient stays, who are at higher risk of persistent carriage. Timely discharge planning is important in reducing the risk of persistent MRSA colonisation among known carriers.
Source: Journal of Hospital Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research