Changing infection control measures to reduce MRSA infection rates after fracture surgery

Dinah, Feroz; Adhikari, Ajeya

doi:10.1016/j.joon.2006.03.004

« Previous Next »Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
Volume 10, Issue 2 , Pages 95-97, May 2006

Changing infection control measures to reduce MRSA infection rates after fracture surgery

Editor’s comments This brief but informative report of action research will be of interest to most orthopaedic nurses. The next steps may be to broaden the data gathering to minimise the effects of time of year and explore the variables such as age and place of residence. A more difficult step would be to determine the cost effectiveness of the interventions.

Summary

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are an increasing cause of concern to managers, nurses and doctors. Patients are especially worried about contracting such an infection after surgery. This study looks at the effect of general and specific infection control measures on the rate of proven MRSA infections. The background rate of proven post-operative MRSA infections in a combined elective and acute orthopaedic unit in a district general hospital was determined. Following a multi-disciplinary meeting, general and specific infection control measures were agreed and introduced in the orthopaedic unit. The effect of these measures on the rate of post-operative MRSA infections was determined. There was a significant drop in the deep MRSA infection rate from 0.90% to 0.18% (p<0.05) following the introduction of infection control measures.