Simple Measures Can Eradicate MRSA

Ring fencing of hospital wards and simple infection control measures can eradicate MRSA in patients having planned operations and allow more patients to be treated, show researchers in the recent issue of British Medical Journal.

Their study involved all patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement at Broomfield Hospital in Essex. In April 1998, all orthopedic surgery was centralized to this hospital from a dedicated stand-alone orthopedic hospital. Twenty-nine new cases of MRSA occurred in the first year after the move.

For one year, rates of postoperative infections were recorded. Then in July 2000, the 28 beds in the elective orthopedic ward were "ring fenced." Only patients having elective orthopedic surgery were admitted to the ward and infection control measures were rigorously enforced.

These measures led to a significant decrease in all postoperative infections and also allowed 17 percent more patients to be treated without increasing the number of operating lists, beds, or surgeons. No cases of MRSA occurred after ring fencing.

"We strongly recommend the ring fencing of elective orthopedic patients and simple infection control measures to reduce the risk of postoperative infection and allow an increase in the number of patients treated," conclude the authors.

To view the full paper, go to:

http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/july/qi149.pdf

Reference: Eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by "ring fencing" of elective orthopaedic beds, BMJ Volume 329, pp.149-151.

Source: British Medical Journal