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A survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control strategies in Italy.
- Source :
-
Infection [Infection] 2013 Aug; Vol. 41 (4), pp. 783-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Apr 01. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Data regarding the implementation of state-of-the-art methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control procedures in Italy are lacking. There is a need to evaluate compliance with MRSA recommendations (CR) in Italian hospitals.<br />Methods: A 67-question closed-answer survey was sent to all Italian hospitals, in order to analyze and evaluate program consistency with CR [hand hygiene (HH), contact precautions, screening of high-risk patients, decolonization, feedback on surveillance data, and antimicrobial guidelines and education programs].<br />Results: 205 hospitals, which account for 42 % of national admissions, returned questionnaires. 131 hospitals (64 %) did not have written MRSA control guidelines. Hospitals reported the following levels of compliance with CR: (1) HH: 67 hospitals (33 %); (2) contact precautions: 33 (16 %); (3) MRSA screening: 66 (32 %); (4) MRSA decolonization: 42 (20 %); (5) surveillance data feedback: 87 (43 %); and (6) antimicrobial guidelines and education programs: 41 (20 %). One hospital (0.5 % of responses) had implemented all recommendations and 28 hospitals (14 %) had implemented four or five recommendations. 31 % of hospitals surveyed had implemented none. Multivariate analysis showed that the only factor identified as being associated with the implementation of MRSA control recommendations was the number of meetings/year of the infection control team (ICT) (p = 0.004).<br />Conclusions: Written MRSA control guidelines are available in only one-third of Italian facilities. An organized system, with ≥4 interventions, has been implemented in just 1 out of 7 hospitals. HH programs and ICT activity are related to better MRSA control. In Italy, there is significant opportunity for improvement in MRSA control.
- Subjects :
- Cross Infection epidemiology
Cross Infection microbiology
Cross Infection prevention & control
Guideline Adherence statistics & numerical data
Hospitals
Humans
Italy epidemiology
Staphylococcal Infections microbiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Health Services Research
Infection Control methods
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolation & purification
Staphylococcal Infections epidemiology
Staphylococcal Infections prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1439-0973
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Infection
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23543436
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-013-0454-7