CARRIAGE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS IN THE ELDERLY

The point prevalence and incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (methicill in-sensitive and -resistant) carriage by inpatients on acute elderly c are wards was estimated. The relationship to body site and to previous admissions to hospital or other institutions was determined. Fifty-fi ve patients were included in the point prevalence study and 136 in the incidence study, which was performed over a two-month period. One in three patients carried S. aureus and 1 in 20 was infected. The inciden ce rate for MRSA was 2.9%. No endemic strain was found. Nostrils were significantly associated with carriage, and skin break isolates were s ignificant in the point prevalence survey. Screening these sites alone would be most cost effective.