Endemic MRSA management: is screening useful?

Abstract

Endemic hospital methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. However, there is no universal consensus on optimal control measures. MRSA screening has been reported as a successful intervention but generally in association with a raft of other measures. Improved hand hygiene, antibiotic stewardship and the availability of isolation facilities are considered to be basic components in MRSA control. Targeted screening of high risk patients is likely to be useful for MRSA control but only if results are available in a timely manner and with resources that allow appropriate response to positive results.