MRSA in Healthcare Workers

Two studies showed a high prevalence of MRSA colonization among emergency department healthcare workers.

Recent studies have revealed an increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in the general population; in a 2003–2004 U.S. national survey, 1.5% of participants had nasal carriage of this pathogen (JW Infect Dis Apr 23 2008). What is the prevalence of MRSA carriage among healthcare workers, whose risk for MRSA exposure is elevated? Now, researchers have explored this issue in two investigations involving emergency departments.

Suffoletto and colleagues conducted a prospective convenience-sample survey from October through December 2006 among emergency department healthcare workers in five Pittsburgh teaching hospitals. Individuals with a known recent S. aureus infection, or a hospitalization withi…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health