[Survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control measures in hospitals participating in the VINCat program]. / Encuesta de las medidas de control de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en los hospitales que participan en el programa VINCat.

INTRODUCTION: VINCat is a nosocomial infection surveillance program in hospitals in Catalonia. The aim of the study was to determine the surveillance and control measures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in these centres. METHODS: An e-mail survey was carried out from January to March 2013 with questions related to the characteristics of the hospitals and their control measures for MRSA. RESULTS: A response was received from 53 hospitals (>500 beds: 7; 200-500 beds: 14;<200 beds: 32; had ICU: 29). Computer alert of readmissions was available in 63%. There was active surveillance of patients admitted from another hospital (46.2%) or a long-term-care centre (55.8%), both being significantly more common measures in hospitals with a rate of MRSA≤22% (global median). Compliance with hand hygiene was observed in 77.4% of the centres, and was greater than 50% in 69.7% of them. All hospitals had contact precautions, although 62.3% did not have exclusive frequently used clinical material in bedrooms. The room cleaning was performed more frequently in 54.7% of hospitals, and 67.9% of them had programs for the appropriate use of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on the implementation of measures to prevent MRSA in hospitals participating in the VINCat program. Most of the centres have an MRSA protocol, however compliance with it should be improved, especially in areas such as active detection on admission in patients at risk, hand hygiene adherence, cleaning frequency and optimising the use of antibiotics.

Encuesta de las medidas de control de Staphylococcus aureusresistente a meticilina en los hospitales que participan en el programa VINCat / Survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control measures in hospitals participating in the VINCat program

INTRODUCCIÓN: VINCat es un programa de vigilancia de la infección nosocomial en los hospitales de Cataluña. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el cumplimiento de las medidas de control de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) en dichos centros. MÉTODOS: De enero a marzo de 2013 se realizó una encuesta por correo sobre las características de los hospitales y la aplicación de las medidas de control de SARM. RESULTADOS: Respondieron 53 hospitales (>500 camas: 7; 200-500 camas: 14;<200 camas: 32; tenían UCI: 29). Disponían de alerta informática de reingresos el 63%. Realizaban vigilancia activa de los traslados de otro hospital el 46,2%, o centro de larga estancia el 55,8%, siendo ambas medidas significativamente más frecuentes en hospitales con una tasa de SARM≤22% (mediana global). Observaban el cumplimento de higiene de manos el 77,4% de los centros y fue mayor al 50% en el 69,7%. Todos los hospitales aplicaban precauciones de contacto, aunque el 62,3% no disponían de material clínico de uso frecuente exclusivo. La limpieza de la habitación se realizaba más frecuentemente en el 54,7% y tenían programas de adecuación del uso de antibióticos el 67,9%. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio informa sobre la implementación de medidas preventivas de SARM en hospitales del programa VINCat. Aunque la mayoría de los hospitales disponen de un protocolo específico, el cumplimento de las medidas es mejorable, especialmente la detección activa en pacientes de riesgo, la adherencia a la higiene de manos, la limpieza más frecuente de la habitación y la optimización del uso de antibióticos

INTRODUCTION: VINCat is a nosocomial infection surveillance program in hospitals in Catalonia. The aim of the study was to determine the surveillance and control measures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in these centres. METHODS: An e-mail survey was carried out from January to March 2013 with questions related to the characteristics of the hospitals and their control measures for MRSA. RESULTS: A response was received from 53 hospitals (>500 beds: 7; 200-500 beds: 14;<200 beds: 32; had ICU: 29). Computer alert of readmissions was available in 63%. There was active surveillance of patients admitted from another hospital (46.2%) or a long-term-care centre (55.8%), both being significantly more common measures in hospitals with a rate of MRSA≤22% (global median). Compliance with hand hygiene was observed in 77.4% of the centres, and was greater than 50% in 69.7% of them. All hospitals had contact precautions, although 62.3% did not have exclusive frequently used clinical material in bedrooms. The room cleaning was performed more frequently in 54.7% of hospitals, and 67.9% of them had programs for the appropriate use of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on the implementation of measures to prevent MRSA in hospitals participating in the VINCat program. Most of the centres have an MRSA protocol, however compliance with it should be improved, especially in areas such as active detection on admission in patients at risk, hand hygiene adherence, cleaning frequency and optimising the use of antibiotics