Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and skin infections among personnel at a pediatric clinic

Am J Infect Control. 2008 Nov;36(9):665-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.01.007. Epub 2008 Oct 3.

Abstract

Ambulatory care visits for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasing dramatically. We investigated a pediatric clinic worker's death caused by MRSA. Among 45 clinic personnel, 16 reported recent skin infections, and 4% were colonized with MRSA. Among 262 patients, 3.4% were colonized with MRSA. Standard precautions were inconsistently applied when treating skin infections. Eight (11%) of 71 environmental swipes contained S aureus. Health care workers in outpatient settings are increasingly exposed to substantial numbers of persons with MRSA, and infection control practices in the ambulatory care setting deserve reemphasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Carrier State / epidemiology
  • Carrier State / microbiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology*