Abstract
To ascertain the microbiology of skin abscesses, emergency department records were reviewed to identify patients with debrided skin abscesses. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 255 (67.6%) of 377 culture samples from episodes in the adult cohort and from 145 (79.7%) of 182 culture samples from episodes in the pediatric cohort. Thus, empirical use of contact precautions for patients with skin abscesses should be strongly considered.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Abscess / drug therapy
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Abscess / microbiology*
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Academic Medical Centers
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Child
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Cross Infection / drug therapy
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Cross Infection / epidemiology
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Cross Infection / microbiology*
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Emergency Service, Hospital
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Female
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Humans
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Infection Control
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Male
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Methicillin Resistance*
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Middle Aged
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Soft Tissue Infections / drug therapy
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Soft Tissue Infections / microbiology*
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Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
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Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
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Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
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Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
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Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
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Tennessee / epidemiology
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Universal Precautions