A survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) management in hospices/palliative care units.

A questionnaire-based survey was performed of the protocols adopted by specialist palliative care in-patient units in southern England for the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). An 87% response rate was obtained from a total of 63 units. Ninety-five percent of the responding units had a protocol for MRSA management, but staff training in its contents was provided in only 59%. Some form of screening for MRSA was carried out by 13% of units. Infection control precautions taken varied between units and according to whether a patient was colonized or infected with MRSA. Although 86% carried out some form of isolation of patients with known or suspected MRSA infection, only 46% restricted their activity within the unit. However, 41 % of respondents felt that protocols to eradicate MRSA colonization were not relevant to hospices. The impact of MRSA infection or colonization on a palliative care population in terms of quality of life and morbidity remains unknown.