Comparison of three phenotypic techniques for detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus spp. reveals a species-dependent performance.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of the cefoxitin screen in Vitek 2 Gram-positive panels for recognizing methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococci.

Methods: Seven hundred and ninety-nine non-duplicate isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative strains were included in the study. Methicillin resistance was measured using PCR for the mecA gene, the CLSI cefoxitin disc diffusion method, the Vitek 2 cefoxitin screen and the Vitek 2 oxacillin susceptibility test.

A survey of one CCFP-EM program's graduates: their background, intended type of practice and actual practice.

Objectives: Our primary objective was to survey the graduates of one residency program with respect to anticipated versus actual medical practice.

Methods: Using a modified Dillman technique, we surveyed all 83 physicians who had completed one year of residency training that led to certification of special competency in Emergency Medicine (CCFP-EM) at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) from 1982-2004. Respondents were asked what type of medicine they had thought they would practise before beginning their emergency medicine training.