Contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization: costly and unnecessary?

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is frequently encountered in health care facilities. Many hospitals have established screening programs to identify individuals harboring the organism. Patients identified as carrying MRSA are frequently placed in Contact Precautions at time of admission.

The interrelationship of isolation precautions and adverse events in an acute care facility.

It has been well documented that patients placed in isolation precautions are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse events. Medically relevant incident reports are one way to determine whether an adverse event has occurred. We compared these reports in isolated and nonisolated patients.

A field trial evaluating the Quantiferon Gold tuberculosis tube test in an endemic population.

The Quantiferon Gold tuberculosis tube test is a sensitive and specific way to diagnosis latent and active tuberculosis. The test is easy to administer and potentially can be used under field conditions and in a remote analytical laboratory. We screened an endemic population under field conditions and transferred our specimens via express mail to a distant site for analysis.

Polymerase chain reaction screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and contact isolation.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are thought to now be endemic in some populations. The early identification of individuals admitted to the hospital who are harboring this organism is important for the timely implementation of appropriate control strategies. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of MRSA carriage in high-risk patients entering our hospital and to determine which of these patients screened for MRSA should be placed in contact precautions on admission.

Nested case-control study of autoimmune disease in an asbestos-exposed population.

Objective: To explore the potential association between asbestos exposure and risk of autoimmune disease, we conducted a case-control study among a cohort of 7,307 current and former residents of Libby, Montana, a community with historical occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite.

Methods: Cases were defined as those who reported having one of three systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs): systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Controls were randomly selected at a 3:1 ratio from among the remaining 6,813 screening participants using frequency-matched age and sex groupings.

Increasing employee awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and the need to use 911 in a State Health Department.

Introduction: Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can lead to reduced morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A workplace intervention was conducted among 523 Montana state health department employees in 2003 to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and the need to use 911. All employees received an Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs brochure and wallet card with their paychecks.

Increasing rate of diabetes in pregnancy among American Indian and white mothers in Montana and North Dakota, 1989-2000.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess trends in diabetes in pregnancy in American Indian and whites mothers in Montana and North Dakota.

Methods: Montana and North Dakota birth records were utilized to assess trends in any diabetes in pregnancy in American Indians and whites from 1989 to 2000.

Results: From 1989 through 2000, there were 133,991 and 102,232 births in Montana and North Dakota, respectively.

Awareness, prior use, and intent to use emergency contraception among Montana women at the time of pregnancy testing.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with awareness of emergency contraception (EC), prior use of EC, and intent to use EC in the future among women at the time of pregnancy testing.

Methods: A convenience sample of women presenting for pregnancy testing and being found to be pregnant in 38 primary health care facilities completed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Information regarding demography, pregnancy intentions, use of any contraception, awareness of EC, prior use of EC, and intent to use EC in the future was collected.

Physical violence, intimate partner violence, and emotional abuse among adult American Indian men and women in Montana.

Background: Little is known about the experience of American Indian communities relative to physical violence (PV), intimate partner violence (IPV), and emotional abuse.

Methods: A random sample of adult American Indians living on or near the seven Montana reservations were interviewed through an adapted Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey in 2001 (N = 1,006). Victimization from physical violence was defined as PV or sexual assault committed by any person.