The SHIELD Orange County Project -Multi Drug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) Prevalence in 21 Nursing Homes and Long Term Acute Care Facilities in Southern California.

Background:Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) spread between hospitals, nursing homes (NH), and long-term acute care facilities (LTACs) via patient transfers. SHIELD OC is a regional public health collaborative involving decolonization at 38 healthcare facilities selected based upon their high degree of patient sharing. We report baseline MDRO prevalence in 21 NH/LTACs. Methods:A random sample of 50 adults for 21 NH/LTACs (18 NHs, 3 LTACs) were screened for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing organisms (ESBL), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) using nares, skin (axilla/groin), and peri-rectal swabs. Facility and resident characteristics associated with MDRO carriage were assessed using multivariable models clustering by person and facility. Results:Prevalence of MDROs was 65% in NHs and 80% in LTACs. The most common MDROs in NHs were MRSA (42%) and ESBL (34%); in LTACs they were VRE (55%) and ESBL (38%). CRE prevalence was higher in facilities that manage ventilated LTAC patients and NH residents (8% vs. <1%, p<0.001). MDRO status was known for 18% of NH residents and 49% of LTAC patients. MDRO colonized adults commonly harbored additional MDROs (54% MDRO+ NH residents and 62% MDRO+ LTACs patients). History of MRSA [OR=1.7 C.I. (1.2, 2.4),p=0.004], VRE [OR=2.1 C.I.(1.2, 3.8),p=0.01], ESBL [OR=1.6 C.I.(1.1, 2.3),p=0.03] and diabetes [OR=1.3 C.I.(1.0, 1.7),p=0.03] were associated with any MDRO carriage. Conclusions:The majority of NH residents and LTACs patients harbor MDROs. MDRO status is frequently unknown to the facility. The high MDRO prevalence highlights the need for prevention efforts in NH/LTACs as part of regional efforts to control MDRO spread.