Colonization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus  Aureus Among Nursing Staff at a Tertiary Care  Hospital

Miss.Vaidehee Naik; Dr. (Mrs) Kalpana Date; Dr.Sonia Philip

Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2014

Colonization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Among Nursing Staff at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Miss. Vaidehee Naik , Dr. Mrs Kalpana Date, Dr. Sonia Philip

Abstract :

OBJECTIVES: Nosocomial outeaks of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) have become a major infection control problem. This cross sectional study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of MRSA among nursing staff, the association between risk factors and colonization and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. METHODS: Hundred Nursing staff from a Tertiary Care Hospital were included in the study, nasal swab and hand swabs were collected. RESULTS: Out of 100 , 21 individuals were found to be carriers of MRSA. The highest prevalence of MRSA carriage was found in NICU (35.7%). MRSA showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics like, Penicillin (48%), Erythromycin (76%), Clindamycin (76%), Ciprofloxacin (48%). CONCLUSION: The observed prevalence of MRSA colonization among Nursing Staff exceeds previously reported prevalence and showed more resistance to the commonly used antibiotics.