Impact of rapid molecular screening for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in surgical wards

Background: This study aimed to establish the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of rapid molecular screening for hospital-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in surgical patients within a teaching hospital. Methods: In 2006, nasal swabs were obtained before surgery from all patients undergoing elective and emergency procedures, and screened for MRSA using a rapid molecular technique. MRSA-positive patients were started on suppression therapy of mupirocin nasal ointment (2 per cent) and undiluted chlorhexidine gluconate bodywash. Results: A total of 18 810 samples were processed, of which 850 (4.5 per cent) were MRSA positive. In comparison to the annual mean for the preceding 6 years, MRSA bacteraemia fell by 38.5 per cent (P < 0.001), and MRSA wound isolates fell by 12.7 per cent (P = 0.031). The reduction in MRSA bacteraemia and wound infection was equivalent to a saving of 3.78 beds per year (276 pound 220), compared with the annual mean for the preceding 6 years. The cost of screening was 302 pound 500, making a net loss of 26 pound 280. Compared with 2005, however, there was a net saving of 545 pound 486. Conclusion: Rapid MRSA screening of all surgical admissions resulted in a significant reduction in staphylococcal bacteraemia during the screening period, although a causal link cannot be established.