MRSA – a pathogen is spreading

Staphylococci are still the most common cause of infections in hospitals or outpatient clinics, and include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Over the last decade, MRSA have increased dramatically worldwide.

In the USA, on average 40% of all isolated S. aureus strains in hospitals are methicillin-resistant, and in intensive care units the level is as high as 52%. Unfortunately, recent epidemiological data indicate a clear upward trend in the isolation rate in recent years.

This situation continues to confront responsible hospital personnel with great challenges, not least because the public is informed better and sooner due to increased media coverage. This trend is now prompting political decision-makers to address the issue of MRSA. In cases involving infection with resistant pathogens, isolation and hygiene measures are codable in the DRG (diagnosis related groups) system. Since 2009, there has been a statutory duty to report positive MRSA findings in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Although the general conditions are gradually improving, there is still a great need for discussion and study on the subject of MRSA.

Many individual factors, such as

• the optimal approach in "admission" screening for MRSA
• the duration and type of MRSA decontamination
• the special procedures for dealing with MRSA in neonatology and intensive care units
• the question of medical staff screening
• still urgently require further study to establish and implement the necessary standards.

An important role in this connection is played by the highly effective and well tolerated decontamination products containing the active substance octenidine hydrochloride, which could well play a key role in future, especially in view of the continuing marked increase in the development of resistance to other antimicrobial substances (e.g. Triclosan) or antibiotics. Naturally, rigorous hand hygiene is equally important, especially in daily activities on the ward. A direct correlation between the use of hand disinfectants and the MRSA rate in hospitals has meanwhile been demonstrated by several well designed studies.