The role of perioperative care in reducing rates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is defined as any strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, including the penicillins and cephalosporins. Over the past ten years the UK has seen a dramatic increase in MRSA prevalence in healthcare facilities and the community, with an estimated 30-50% of healthy adults thought to be colonised with MRSA. Surgical patients are among those at highest risk. With potential sequelae including septicaemia, septic shock, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, pneumonia or endocarditis, it is vital that all care facilities have up to date evidence-based guidelines to tackle this problem. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current evidence supporting some of the key perioperative measures which may be implemented in preventing MRSA.