Do guidelines for the prevention and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus make a difference?
Authors
Humphreys, HAffiliation
Department of Clinical Microbiology, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. hhumphreys@rcsi.ieIssue Date
2009-12MeSH
AustraliaCross Infection
Europe
Guidelines as Topic
Health Policy
Health Services Research
Humans
Infection Control
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcal Infections
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Do guidelines for the prevention and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus make a difference? 2009, 15 Suppl 7:39-43 Clin. Microbiol. Infect.Journal
Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesDOI
10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03095.xPubMed ID
19951333Abstract
Many countries have national guidelines for the prevention and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that are similar in approach. The evidence base for many recommendations is variable, and often, in the drafting of such guidelines, the evidence is either not analysed or not specifically reviewed. Guidelines usually recommend screening and early detection, hand hygiene, patient isolation or cohorting, and decolonization. Although many components of a prevention and control programme appear to be self-evident, e.g. patient isolation, the scientific base underpinning these is poor, and scientifically rigorous studies are required. Nonetheless, where measures, based on what evidence there is and on common sense, are implemented, and where the necessary resources are provided, MRSA can be controlled. In The Netherlands and in other low-prevalence countries, these measures have largely kept healthcare facilities MRSA-free. In MRSA-endemic countries, such as Spain and Ireland, national guidelines are often not fully implemented, owing to apparently inadequate resources or a lack of will. However, recent studies from France and Australia demonstrate what is possible in high-prevalence countries when best practice is effectively implemented, with potentially major benefits for patients, the respective health services, and society.Item Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1469-0691ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03095.x
Scopus Count
Collections
Related articles
- Prevention and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Authors: Humphreys H, Grundmann H, Skov R, Lucet JC, Cauda R
- Issue date: 2009 Feb
- Managing methicillin-resistant staphylococci: a paradigm for preventing nosocomial transmission of resistant organisms.
- Authors: Henderson DK
- Issue date: 2006 Jun
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: source control and surveillance organization.
- Authors: Tacconelli E
- Issue date: 2009 Dec
- National guidelines for the control and prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--what do they tell us?
- Authors: Humphreys H
- Issue date: 2007 Sep
- Managing methicillin-resistant staphylococci: a paradigm for preventing nosocomial transmission of resistant organisms.
- Authors: Henderson DK
- Issue date: 2006 Jun