Incidence study of nosocomial infections and nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in an orthopaedic surgical ward.

Nosocomial infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Me thicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is often the severe causal agent in this kind of infections. In order to evaluate risk factors for no socomial infections and nasal MRSA carriage, an incidence study was carried out on patients hospitalized in an orthopaedic surgery department in Bouci caut Hospital (Paris). This study was carried out over a five month period. Data of all the patients who stayed more than two days in the unit were co llected in medical and nursing records. Nasal swab specimens were taken at the admission of each patient included in order to screen nasal MRSA carrie rs. Statistical analysis were performed using Epi Info software version 6.0 . A total of 451 patients were included in the study. Nosocomial infections incidence rate was 11,5%. Risk factor significantly associated with nosoco mial infection was high wound contamination classes III and IV (Altemeier). Incidence rate of MRSA carriage was 3,1%. A previous hospitalization in a general hospital 6 months before an admission at Boucicaut Hospital was the only risk factor identified. According to this, these patients, when they are admitted are proposed to be preventely isolated awaiting their microbio logical results.