Decolonization to Prevent Infections with Staphylococcus aureus in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Review of Current Evidence

Staphylococcus aureus infections remain common in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and the consequences of these infections are potentially severe. Although a number of evidence-based practices have been shown to decrease the healthcare-associated infections that this organism can cause, many questions remain about the utility of decolonization as a mechanism to prevent these infections. This brief review describes the current epidemiology of S. aureus infections in patients undergoing hemodialysis and reviews the evidence surrounding decolonization as an infection prevention strategy.