BMJ  2008;336:1085-1086 (17 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39577.440741.3A

Letters

Rapid screening for MRSA

Preventing infections from cannulas reduces MRSA

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

We have shown through bacteraemia surveillance (June 2003-December 2006) that 19 of 118 episodes (16.1%) of bacteraemia due to hospital acquired MRSA on medical and surgical wards were secondary to infected insertion sites of peripheral cannulas. In June 2007, King George Hospital, Barking, Havering and Redbridge Trust implemented a programme aimed to reduce these infections. This followed guidance in the "Saving Lives" programme.¹ Skin decontamination devices (Chlorprep Single Swab Applicator) and venflon packs were supplied to all wards. Labels for date of insertion and removal for peripheral cannulas were provided together with Tegaderm to replace tape and gauze dressings. Junior doctors and nurses were trained to use these packs and, in particular, how to label and insert cannulas in an aseptic manner.

From June 2007 to March 2008, total episodes of MRSA bacteraemia trustwide fell from 56 to 32 (42.9%) compared with the preceding 10 months. Over this 20 month . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ Department of Microbiology, Queen’s Hospital, Barking, Havering and Redbridge Trust, Romford, Essex RM7 0AG

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