Use of intranasal mupirocin to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in intensive care units

Table 1 Description of the medical intensive care unit of Besançon hospital, June 1999 to May 2003

Parameter	Period 1 (June 1999 to May 2001)	Period 2 (June 2001 to May 2003)	P
No. of patients admitted	912	987
Patients screened for MRSA (% of patients admitted)	775 (84.5%)	819 (83.0%)	0.26
Mean length of stay, days	11.44	9.73	0.02
Mean gravity score, SAPS II	46.32	46.44	0.91
Rate of death, %	32.73	28.43	0.07
MRSA cases	46	55	0.59^e
Carriers of MRSA^a (then infected)	38 (1)	49 (11)	0.35^g
Infected with MRSA^b	9	17	0.24^e
Imported MRSA^c	6	4	0.66^e
Exogenous acquired MRSA^c,d	2	2	1.00^f
Endogenous acquired MRSA^c,d	1	11	0.006 ^g

^aPatients from whom methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was recovered from screening samples or from clinical samples without signs of infection. ^bPatients from whom MRSA was recovered from clinical samples with signs of infection in accordance with the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ^cDefined as imported if they tested positive within 48 hours of admission, and as acquired if they tested negative for the first 48 hours after admission. ^dDefined as endogenous if a screening sample was positive before the clinical sample, and as exogenous otherwise. ^eIn comparison with admitted patients. ^fIn comparison with screened patients. ^gIn comparison with carriers of MRSA. SAPS II, Simplified Acute Physiology Score, SAPS II.

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