Hospital hairdresser as a potential source of cross-infection with MRSA

Following medical staff concerns about patients screening positive for meth icillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the hairline site only, it was suggested that the hospital hairdresser could be a possible source for cross-contamination. Analysis of her procedures and decontamination pra ctices confirmed her to be a potential source. Swabbing of her equipment af ter a day's session with her. ping as an epidemic strain normal cleansing p ractice revealed the presence of MRSA, confirmed by phage typing as an epid emic strain within the hospital. This provided putative evidence for a vehi cle of transmission. A review of advice for hairdressers in hospitals was o btained from the literature and via a telephone survey of infection control nurses in London. A composite policy was produced for hairdressers attendi ng MRSA-positive patients in hospital to minimize this potential risk. (C) 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.