Bed occupancy and overcrowding as determinant factors in the incidence of MRSA infections within general ward settings

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence and bed occupancy rates at St Luke's Hospital, Malta, were assessed over a 24-month period. A significant positive correlation was established (r = 0.463; P < 0.05) between new cases of MRSA infections and overall levels of bed occupancy. This would imply that overcrowding may be a relevant factor in MRSA spread within hospitals, even in non-intensive care settings. (C) 2003 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.