Risk factors for nosocomial methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in a neonatal intensive care unit: A Case-control study

Persistently circulating MRSA clone in NICU. • Risk factors for MRSA colonization, independent of length of stay& gestational age. • Colonization pressure, lower ATP pass rate are associated with acquisition of colonization. • Higher acuity of care is also associated with acquisition of colonization. • In a multivariable model, only colonization pressure was significantly associated. To determine risk factors for MRSA col onization in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) independent of length of stay and gestational age in the context of a persistently circulating MRSA clone. Retrospective matched case-control study. Level IV NICU Infants admitted between April 4,2017- March 31,2018. Based on weekly surveil lance cultures, infants who acquired MRSA were matched 1:1 with MRSA-negative control infants by duration of exposure (length of stay) and gestational age to determine risk factors for acquisition. Fifty case infants were matched with controls. Isolates from 45 of the 50 cases were mupirocin-resista nt and related by pulse-field gel electrophoresis. On matched univariable analysis, the following were significantly associated with a risk for MRSA acquisition: 1.Bed location in the acute area(P = 0.03), 2.Requirement of any level of respiratory support during the week prior to MRSA detection(P = 0.04), 3.Higher ATP pass rate (a measure of effectiveness of cleaning) during the week of and week prior(P = 0.01), 4.Higher MRSA colonization pressure during the w...
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news