Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2005 Dec;10(2):73-77.

Analysis of the Effectiveness in the Hospital Management of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Different Isolation Policies

• Choi JS
• Kim MR
• Kim YH
• Huh AJ
• Kim KS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of different isolation policies in reducing the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in hospital in-patients.
METHODS
We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of an isolation policy on transmission of MRSA in the 745-beds hospital. First period, all patients with MRSA (March - July 2000) were not isolated Second period, strict isolation policies were performed (August 2000 - January 2002). All patients with MRSA were isolated in separated room, hand hygiene using alcohol handrub, gowning and g1oving, apply of MRSA notice sticker, criteria in isolation remove, separated disinfection and wastement. Third period, semi strict isolation policies were performed (February 2002 - August 2005). Some patients with MRSA were isolated in separated room and others were admitted in general ward for bed shortage. Only some practices were performed in hand washing and separated disinfection in general ward.
RESULTS
The rates of MRSA nosocomial infection per patients during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd surveillance were reported 0.56, 0.23, and 0.42 (P<0.05). Patient-days rate of MRSA nosocomial infection during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd surveillance were reported 0.62, 0.27, and 0.38 (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
With many different isolation policies, it was possible to reduce nosocomial infection of MRSA. In this study, strict isolation policies (2nd period) were the most effective practices in reducing MRSA infection.

Keyword

Methillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Isolation policy; Infection control

MeSH Terms

Cross Infection
Disinfection
Hand Disinfection
Hand Hygiene
Humans
Incidence
Infection Control
Methicillin Resistance*
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
Patients' Rooms
Prospective Studies