MRSA bloodstream infection and the efficacy of an infection control program in a local Hong Kong hospital

Abstract

Objective. (1) To evaluate the efficacy of enhanced infection control measures against hospital acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia in a local hospital. (2) To determine the demographic characteristics of patients with MRSA bacteremia and identify possible sources of infection. Setting. A 720?bed community hospital in Hong Kong. Methods. Cases with MRSA bacteremias were retrospectively analyzed between January 2009 and December 2011. Isolates were identified by hospital microbiology laboratory and the discharge summaries of patients with positive MRSA blood cultures were reviewed. The rates of MRSA bacteremia before and after infection control measures were compared. Results. A significant reduction of hospital acquired MRSA bacteremia was observed after the infection control program. The major sources of bacteremia were bone/skin/soft tissue infections, respiratory tract and urinary tract despite a large proportion of cases had an unknown source. There was no significant difference in the source of bacteremia for hospital and community acquired cases. Mortality was significantly higher for cases with hospital acquired bacteremia. Conclusions. Implementation of an enhanced infection control program effectively decreased the rate of hospital acquired MRSA bacteremia.