Improving surveillance of MRSA bacteraemia: Scottish data prompt query of significance of MRSA isolated from blood in acute admissions

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1143-a

BMJ 2005;331:1143 (12 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7525.1143-a

Letter

Improving surveillance of MRSA bacteraemia

Scottish data prompt query of significance of MRSA isolated from blood in acute admissions

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Wyllie et al recommend that on admission, accountingfor 24% of all MRSA bacteraemias, require immediate considerationfor vancomycin treatment.¹

We investigated all positive blood cultures taken in acute admissionsat this hospital over three years. We used microbiology laboratoryresults, case notes, notes taken by the infection control nurses,and reports to Health Protection Scotland of bloodborne infectionsto determine whether these infections were genuine.

The total number of S aureus bacteraemias was 244, with 65 inacute admissions. The number of MRSA bacteraemias was 112, with24 in acute admissions, which accounted for 18.8% of all hospitalMRSA bacteraemias. Seventeen patients (81%) had been admittedfrom a nursing home or other hospital or had recently had aninpatient hospital stay (less than 6 months previously). Thecontamination rate from all blood cultures for accident andemergency was 49% over the three years.

A significant proportion (50%) . . . [Full text of this article]

Barry Neish, trainee clinical scientist

barry.neish@laht.scot.nhs.uk
Wishaw General Hospital, Wishaw ML2 0DP

Thomas Gillespie, consultant microbiologist, Kenneth G Liddell, consultant microbiologist

Wishaw General Hospital, Wishaw ML2 0DP

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