MRSA colonization characteristics and nursing of patients in RICU

Objective To investigate the characteristics of MRSA colonization and their influence to the prognosis of patients in respiratory intensive care unit (RICU),so as to provide the basis for the caring of the RICU patients.Methods A prospective study included 246 cases of patients admitted to RICU in our hospital during Jan 2010 to Neb 2011.Swab specimens from nares,pharynx,axillae,groin,chest and hands of the patients were collected and cultured at the first day in RICU,and then repeated every 3 days.The patients were divided into MRSA colonization group (n =30) and MRSA non-colonization group (n =216) according to MRSA culture results.Results The MRSA colonization rate was 12.19％ in RICU patients,including 16 cases of hospital-acquired colonization.No significant difference was found in the gender,the APACHE Ⅱ score and APACHE Ⅲ between MRSA colonization group and the MRSA non-colonization group (P ＞ 0.05).The mean age in MRSA colonization group was significantly greater than that of the MRSA non-colonization group [(81.13 ± 6.86) vs (74.78 ± 11.89) ; t =2.955,P =0.003)] ; The number of hospitalization and the mortality in one year of the MRSA colonization group was significantly more than those of MRSA non-colonization group [(1.83 ±1.216) vs (1.06 ±0.257),40.0％ vs 16.7％ ;t =2.998,x2 =9.132;P＜0.01)].MRSA was mainly colonized in nares.Conclusions MRSA colonization has an important impact on the prognosis of RICU patients.More than 50％ of MRSA colonization cases are hospital-associated,suggesting that we should strengthen the bedside care,prevention of cross infection. Key words: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ;  Nursing;  RICU ;  Colonization