An outbreak of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in a neonatal intensive care unit: use of a case–control study to investigate and control it and lessons learnt

N. M. Brown, Mark Reacher, W. Rice, I. Roddick, L. Reeve, Neville Verlander, S. Broster, A. L. Ogilvy-Stuart, A. D'Amore, J. Ahluwalia, S. Robinson, R. Thaxter, C. Moody, Angela Kearns, J. Greatorex, H. Martin, M. E. Török, D. A. Enoch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: To describe the investigation and management of a meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak on a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the lessons learnt. Methods: This was an outbreak report and case–control study conducted in a 40-cot NICU in a tertiary referral hospital and included all infants colonized/infected with gentamicin-resistant MRSA. Intervention: Standard infection-control measures including segregation of infants, barrier precautions, enhanced cleaning, assessment of staff practice including hand hygiene, and increased MRSA screening of infants were implemented. Continued MRSA acquisitions led to screening of all NICU staff. A case–control study was performed to assess staff contact with colonized babies and inform the management of the outbreak. Findings: Eight infants were colonized with MRSA (spa type t2068), one of whom subsequently developed an MRSA bacteraemia. MRSA colonization was significantly associated with lower gestational age; lower birthweight and with being a twin. Three nurses were MRSA colonized but only one nurse (45) was colonized with MRSA spa type t2068. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified being cared for by nurse 45 as an independent risk factor for MRSA colonization. Conclusions: Lack of accurate recording of which nurses looked after which infants (and when) made identification of the risk posed by being cared for by particular nurses difficult. If this had been clearer, it may have enabled earlier identification of the colonized nurse, avoiding subsequent cases. This study highlights the benefit of using a case–control study, which showed that most nurses had no association with colonized infants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-43
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Hospital Infection
Volume103
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was not funded. MET is a Clinician Scientist Fellow supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Health Foundation and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

Funding Information:
This study was not funded. MET is a Clinician Scientist Fellow supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences , the Health Foundation and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society

Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • MRSA
  • Neonatal intensive care
  • Neonates
  • Outbreak

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