Routine antiseptic baths and MRSA decolonization: diverse approaches across Singapore's acute-care hospitals

F Hong; S Salmon; X Y Ong; K Liew; Y Koh; A Young; B Ang; M L Foo; L C Lee; M L Ling; K Marimuthu; S Pada; B F Poh; K C Thoon; D Fisher

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.025

Routine antiseptic baths and MRSA decolonization: diverse approaches across Singapore's acute-care hospitals

J Hosp Infect. 2021 Jun:112:87-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.025. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Authors

F Hong¹, S Salmon², X Y Ong¹, K Liew¹, Y Koh¹, A Young¹, B Ang³, M L Foo⁴, L C Lee⁵, M L Ling⁵, K Marimuthu⁶, S Pada⁷, B F Poh⁸, K C Thoon⁹, D Fisher¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ Ministry of Health, Singapore.
² University of New South Wales, School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, Australia; Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.
³ Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore; Infection Prevention and Control, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
⁴ Infection Control, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.
⁵ Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
⁶ Infectious Diseases, National Centre of Infectious Diseases, Singapore.
⁷ Infectious Diseases, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore.
⁸ Infection Prevention and Control, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
⁹ Infectious Diseases, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
¹⁰ Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 33812940
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.025

Abstract

To determine the variation in practices on meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surveillance and management of MRSA-colonized patients amongst 17 acute healthcare facilities in Singapore, the Ministry of Health convened a sharing session with Infection Prevention and Control Leads. All hospitals practised close to universal MRSA entry swabbing in keeping with national policy. There were, however, major variations in the response to both positive and negative surveillance swabs across facilities including the role of routine antiseptic bathing and MRSA decolonization. Most undertaking decolonization considered its role to be in 'bioburden reduction' rather than longer-term clearance.

Keywords: Active surveillance; Decolonization; MRSA; Singapore.

MeSH terms

Anti-Infective Agents, Local*
Baths
Carrier State / prevention & control
Cross Infection* / prevention & control
Hospitals
Humans
Infection Control
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
Singapore
Staphylococcal Infections* / prevention & control

Substances

Anti-Infective Agents, Local