Comparison of Two Protocols to Prevent the Acquisition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.

Nosocomial infections is a major problem in intensive care units due to both growing incidence and pathogens implicated which become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. According to the Center for Disease Control (USA), Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for approximately 10% of cases. In Europe, 79% of the S.aureus strains are resistant to methicillin, a routinely used antibiotic. Recommendations for the prevention of transmission of these resistant bacteria are rarely based on controlled trials. Therefore the aim of our study is to evaluate two protocols to prevent the acquisition of methicillin-resistant S. Aureus in intensive care units: either a reinforced isolation precautions protocol or a standard precautions protocol.