Title: Prevalence of MRSA among Health Care Staff in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Dr T Lakshmi Jyothi, Dr Naveen Chandra Reddy
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i10.68
Abstract
Background: Infections are among the most important occupational risks for health care workers. Precautions related to transmission route and contact isolation or respiratory isolation is very important to protect healthcare workers and other patients. The study aimed to describe the prevalence of MRSA among health care staff.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MRSA among health care employee, as well as the potential risk factors for MRSA colonization. For screening, nasal swabs & hand swabs from the dorsum of the hands were taken. When an individual was tested positive, a control swab was taken; if this confirmed a positive result, decolonization measures were offered. The responsible general practitioners were notified of positive MRSA findings among residents.
Results: Analysis was carried out in a tertiary care hospital from Nov 2017 to Nov 2018. A total of n=227 health care employees from all patient care areas were screened. Out of these n=227 employees n=23(10.1%) doctors, employees from administration n=2 (0.88%), technician n=9 (3.96%), dialysis technicians n=6(2.6%), kitchen staff n=20 (8.81%), housekeeping staff n=26 (11.45%) & nurses n=141(62.1%). N=11 employees tested positive, putting the MRSA prevalence at 4.8 %. Of these n=11 cases, 9 (81.8%) were from anterior nares & n=2 (18.2%) from hands. Prevalence was more from the employees working in the critical areas such as CCU / MICU, AMC & one from the medical ward.
Conclusion: This study is the first to make data on the MRSA risk of employees at our center. The prevalence data are low in all areas and indicate a somewhat low risk of infection. Good infection control at the facilities is a continual improvement process and the employees are trained in-depth knowledge of infection prevention to improve compliance with personal protective measures.
Keywords: Health Care Employees, MRSA, Colonization, Infection Control.
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