OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize MRSA and staphylococci carriage and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors. DESIGN: A prospective, longitudinal cohort design (interim report) with three times of measurement. Data collected between August 2010 and May 2011 (ongoing longitudinal study to May 2012). Institutional Review Board approval (2010F5693). SETTING: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven nursing students. INTERVENTIONS: A positive MRSA swab represented an end-point for a participant. Intervention offered was bactroban (mupirocin) for nasal decolonization and an oral antibiotic, doxycycline; posttreatment collection to verify decolonization prior to next clinical rotation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Screening for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA identification; confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility by Vitek 2. Self-administered questionnaires collected demographics and risk factors. Generalized estimating equations calculated population-averaged panel logistic regression models allowing for an AR(1) error by Stata version 12. RESULTS: MRSA colonization did not increase. S. aureus prevalence (20-26%). Species prevalence other than S. aureus increased (9.2% to 80%). The following associations were found to be statistically significant: boil or skin infection odds with S. aureus (OR = 2.43, p < .05), working or volunteering in healthcare facility odds with S. other (OR = 2.72, p < .05) and gym and sports activities odds with S. other (OR = 4.98, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: MRSA colonization did not increase. Knowledge and understanding of MRSA (risks) may play a role in compliance and barrier precautions. S. aureus colonization remained stable (25-30%). Species colonization other than S. aureus (e.g. S. epidermis, S. haemolyticus) increased to significant levels.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and characterize MRSA and staphylococci carriage and conversion rates in nursing students across clinical semester rotations and to describe risk factors. DESIGN: A prospective, longitudinal cohort design (interim report) with three times of measurement. Data collected between August 2010 and May 2011 (ongoing longitudinal study to May 2012). Institutional Review Board approval (2010F5693). SETTING: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven nursing students. INTERVENTIONS: A positive MRSA swab represented an end-point for a participant. Intervention offered was bactroban (mupirocin) for nasal decolonization and an oral antibiotic, doxycycline; posttreatment collection to verify decolonization prior to next clinical rotation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Screening for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA identification; confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility by Vitek 2. Self-administered questionnaires collected demographics and risk factors. Generalized estimating equations calculated population-averaged panel logistic regression models allowing for an AR(1) error by Stata version 12. RESULTS: MRSA colonization did not increase. S. aureus prevalence (20-26%). Species prevalence other than S. aureus increased (9.2% to 80%). The following associations were found to be statistically significant: boil or skin infection odds with S. aureus (OR = 2.43, p < .05), working or volunteering in healthcare facility odds with S. other (OR = 2.72, p < .05) and gym and sports activities odds with S. other (OR = 4.98, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: MRSA colonization did not increase. Knowledge and understanding of MRSA (risks) may play a role in compliance and barrier precautions. S. aureus colonization remained stable (25-30%). Species colonization other than S. aureus (e.g. S. epidermis, S. haemolyticus) increased to significant levels.