Rapid Screening for MRSA in Critical Care
Author Information
Author(s): Stephan Harbarth, Cristina Masuet-Aumatell, Jacques Schrenzel, Patrice Francois, Christophe Akakpo, Gesuele Renzi, Jerome Pugin, Bara Ricou, Didier Pittet
Primary Institution: Geneva University Hospitals
Hypothesis
Can a new molecular MRSA screening test significantly reduce the time to identify MRSA carriers and decrease MRSA infections in ICUs?
Conclusion
The qMRSA test significantly reduced the time to notification of MRSA results and helped identify previously unknown MRSA carriers, leading to reduced MRSA infections in the medical ICU.
Supporting Evidence
- The qMRSA test reduced the median time to notification from 87 to 21 hours in the surgical ICU.
- Without admission screening, 55 previously unknown MRSA carriers would have been missed.
- The systematic screening and isolation policy was associated with a reduction in medical ICU acquired MRSA infections.
Takeaway
This study found a quick test that helps doctors find patients with a dangerous germ called MRSA much faster, which can help keep other patients safe.
Methodology
Patients admitted for longer than 24 hours to two adult ICUs were screened systematically on admission using a quick PCR test.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to unmeasured confounding factors like antibiotic use and hand hygiene compliance.
Limitations
The rapid MRSA test may have false positives and negatives, and other factors affecting MRSA rates were not fully controlled.
Participant Demographics
Patients admitted to two adult ICUs at Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.1–0.7
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website