[How an outbreak of MRSA in Gothenburg was eliminated: by strict hygienic routines and massive control-culture program].

The largest single-strain outbreak of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Scandinavia so far occurred at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Western Sweden 1997-2000. The strain identified was identical to the UK EMRSA-16 strain. 147 patients at 36 different wards became colonised or infected. Established routines for infection control had to be revised. The endemic situation necessitated an MRSA screening programme in October 1999 for all former hospital patients on re-admission. Since May 2000 no patient has been found with the outbreak strain at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.