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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 88-B, Issue 6,
807-811.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.88B6.17042 Copyright © 2006 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an Irish orthopaedic centreA FIVE-YEAR ANALYSISS. J. Roche, MB(Hons), MRCS(Glasg), Orthopaedic Research Registrar1; D. Fitzgerald, MB, BAO, BCh, Surgical Senior House Officer1; A. ORourke, RGN, H.Dip.Infection Control Nursing, Infection Control Nurse1; and J. P. McCabe, MB(Hons), MCh, MMSc, FRCS(Tr & Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon11 Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Correspondence should be sent to Mr S. J. Roche; e-mail: sroche1975{at}yahoo.co.uk
This prospective five-year study analyses the impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on an Irish orthopaedic unit. We identified 318 cases of MRSA, representing 0.76% of all admissions (41 971). A total of 240 (76%) cases were colonised with MRSA, while 120 (37.7%) were infected. Patients were admitted from home (218; 68.6%), nursing homes (72; 22.6%) and other hospitals (28; 8.8%). A total of 115 cases (36.6%) were colonised or infected on admission. Many patients were both colonised and infected at some stage. The length of hospital stay was almost trebled because of the presence of MRSA infection. Encouragingly, overall infection rates have not risen significantly over the five years of the study despite increased prevalence of MRSA. However, the financial burden of MRSA is increasing, highlighting the need for progress in understanding how to control this resistant pathogen more effectively. This article has been cited by other articles:
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