Survey of policy for MRSA screening in English cataract surgical units and changes to practice after updated National guidelines

BMC Ophthalmology

Research Article

Stephanie K West¹  Lavnish Joshi²  Luke Herbert³ 

[1] Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK;Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, EC1V 9EL, London, UK;East Surrey Hospital, Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Trust, Redhill, Surrey, UK;

关键词: Healthcare surveys;    Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus;    Phacoemulsification;    Screening;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2415-13-80

 received in 2013-06-24, accepted in 2013-12-11,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundNational guidelines on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) screening policy in England have changed on a number of occasions, but there is limited data on its influence at a local level. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in National policy influenced preoperative screening of cataract patients for MRSA.MethodsA structured telephone survey was conducted on all 133 ophthalmology units in England in 2004 and again in 2007 for the initial responders, after a change in national policy.ResultsA total of 74 units (56%) responded in 2004 and 71 units (96% of initial respondents) in 2007. In 2004, 57% of units screened for MRSA. They screened groups at high risk of carriage, including patients with previous MRSA (93%) and patients from Nursing homes (21%). Swab sites included the nose (100%), eyes (31%) and perineum (62%). In 2007, there was no significant change in the number of units that screened for MRSA (57% vs 66%; p = 0.118; McNemar test). However, more units screened for MRSA in patients from nursing/residential homes (21% vs 51%; p = 0.004, McNemar test), and in patients who had recent admission to hospital (12% vs 36%; p = 0.003). In the second survey, 3 units (6%) now screened patients who were close relatives of MRSA carriers.ConclusionThis survey has highlighted inconsistences in MRSA screening practice of day-case cataract surgery patients across England after 2 major national policy changes. A change in DoH policy only led to more units screening patients for MRSA from high risk groups.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Joshi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013