A case control study of environmental and occupational exposures associated with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in patients admitted to a rural tertiary care hospital in a high density swine region.

Background: Distinct strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been identified on livestock and livestock workers. Industrial food animal production may be an important environmental reservoir for human carriage of these pathogenic bacteria. The objective of this study was to investigate environmental and occupational exposures associated with nasal carriage of MRSA in patients hospitalized at Vidant Medical Center, a tertiary hospital serving a region with intensive livestock production in eastern North Carolina.

The impact of a "search and destroy" strategy for the prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Objective: To determine how the implementation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control program in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) affects MRSA health care-associated infections (MRSA-HAIs).

Design: A retrospective chart review.

Setting: IRF affiliated with Vidant Medical Center, an 861-bed, acute-care teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

Medical and household characteristics associated with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among patients admitted to a rural tertiary care hospital.

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a threat to patient safety and public health. Understanding how MRSA is acquired is important for prevention efforts. This study investigates risk factors for MRSA nasal carriage among patients at an eastern North Carolina hospital in 2011.

Importance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus eradication in carriers to prevent postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infection.

Although infrequent, postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infection (SSI) is associated with significant morbidity and cost. Previous studies have identified the importance of MRSA screening to diminish the risk of postoperative MRSA SSI. The current study quantifies the importance of eradication of the MRSA carrier state to prevent MRSA SSI.

Active surveillance screening of MRSA and eradication of the carrier state decreases surgical-site infections caused by MRSA.

Background: Surgical-site infections (SSI), because of MRSA, are a challenge for acute care hospitals. The current study examines the impact of best practices and active surveillance screening for MRSA on reduction of MRSA SSIs.

Study Design: Beginning February 2007, all admissions to a 761-bed tertiary care hospital were screened for MRSA by nasal swab using polymerase chain reaction-based testing.