An unusual source for an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on an intensive therapy unit

• Published in: The Journal of hospital infection Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 207 - 216
• Main Authors: Cotterill, S., Evans, R., Fraise, A.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kent Elsevier Ltd 01.03.1996; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; cross infection; Cross Infection - epidemiology; Cross Infection - etiology; Cross Infection - microbiology; Disease Outbreaks; Emergency and intensive care: techniques, logistics; Female; Hospital Design and Construction; Humans; Intensive care medicine; intensive care unit; Intensive care unit. Emergency transport systems. Emergency, hospital ward; Intensive Care Units - organization & administration; Male; Medical sciences; Methicillin - pharmacology; Methicillin - therapeutic use; Methicillin Resistance; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Middle Aged; Staphylococcal Infections - epidemiology; Staphylococcal Infections - etiology; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Sterilization - methods; Ventilation; Staphylococcus aureus; cross infection; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; intensive care unit; Epidemic; Human; Nosocomial infection; Epidemiology; Contamination; Intensive care unit; Infection; Treatment; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Micrococcaceae; Transmission mode; Staphylococcal infection; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0195-6701; 1532-2939
• DOI: 10.1016/S0195-6701(96)90147-4

During a four-month period, six patients on an intensive therapy unit became colonized or infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Four of these patients were colonized by the Epidemic MRSA strain 15 (EMRSA 15). The outbreak was characterized by the fact that all four of these patients were nursed in the same bed on the unit before acquisition of the organism. Investigation of the outbreak led the authors to believe that the source of the MRSA may have been the exhaust ducting of the adjacent isolation room ventilation system which allowed the organisms to enter the unit via a partially open window positioned above that particular bed. The cycle was broken once the ventilation system was repaired and the window above the bed was properly sealed.