Relationships between the importation, transmission, and nosocomial infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an observational study of 112 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Background: The study of hospital methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) epidemiology is complicated by its transmissibility. Our objective was to understand how MRSA importation and transmission influence MRSA nosocomial infections in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs).

Methods: We performed hospital-level analyses of acute-care MRSA admission prevalence, acquisition rates, and incident nosocomial clinical culture (INCC) rates, each a surrogate measure of importation, transmission, and nosocomial infection, respectively.

Bronchoscopic and histological changes over time following acute ferrous sulphate tablet aspiration.

An 84-year-old woman accidentally aspirated an iron tablet. She was successfully treated with early endobronchial removal of the iron tablet remnants, oral corticosteroids and antibiotics. We describe the bronchoscopic and histological changes over time following acute iron tablet aspiration and highlight the importance of early intervention to avoid complications.

Picture quiz: a bad case of the flu (answers).

Our case highlights an uncommon complication of nasogastric tube insertion. Enteral feeding plays an essential role in recovery from critical illness. Benefits include increasing blood flow.

Picture quiz: a bad case of the flu.

A 51-year-old man who was normally fit and well, presented with a one-week history of fever, cough, shortness of breath, myalgia and diarrhoea. On examination he was febrile at 37.8°C, acutely short of breath with oxygen saturations of 75% on 15L of oxygen via a non re-breath mask and a respiratory rate of 25.