Impact of Preoperative MRSA Screening and Decolonization on Hospital-acquired MRSA Burden

Background

Hospital-acquired infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a source of morbidity and mortality. S. aureus is the most common pathogen in prosthetic joint infections and the incidence of MRSA is increasing.

Questions/Purposes

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the MRSA prevalence density rate at a specialty orthopaedic hospital before and after implementation of a screening and decolonization protocol, (2) to compare our prevalence density with that of an affiliated university hospital to control for changes in MRSA prevalence density that might have been independent of the decolonization protocol, and (3) to measure the admission prevalence density rate of MRSA in an elective orthopaedic surgery population and the compliance rate of 26 patients with the protocol.

Methods

In October 2008, we implemented a MRSA screening and decolonization protocol for patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. Nasal swabs were used for screening and mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine skin antisepsis where prescribed for decolonization to all patients. At the surgical visit, compliance was measured and the patients who were MRSA positive received vancomycin for antibiotic prophylaxis. Institution wide surveillance for multidrug-resistant organisms, including MRSA provided a comparison of the change in MRSA burden at the orthopaedic hospital versus the university hospital.

Results

Before implementation of the preoperative staphylococcal decolonization protocol there were 79 MRSA-positive cultures in 64,327 patient-days for a prevalence density rate of 1.23 per 1000 patient-days. After protocol implementation, 53 MRSA-positive cultures were identified in 63,860 patient-days for a rate of 0.83 per 1000 patient-days. Before the protocol, the MRSA prevalence density at the specialty hospital was similar to that of the university hospital; after implementation of the protocol, the prevalence density at the specialty hospital was 33% lower than that of the university hospital. The MRSA admission prevalence was 3.02%. The compliance rate was greater than 95%.

Conclusions

Implementation of a staphylococcal decolonization protocol at a single specialty orthopaedic hospital decreased the prevalence density of MRSA.     

MRSA colonisation and subsequent risk of infection despite effective eradication in orthopaedic elective surgery

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of screening and successful treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in elective orthopaedic patients on the subsequent risk of developing a surgical site infection (SSI) with MRSA. We screened 5933 elective orthopaedic in-patients for MRSA at pre-operative assessment. Of these, 108 (1.8%) were colonised with MRSA and 90 subsequently underwent surgery. Despite effective eradication therapy, six of these (6.7%) had an SSI within one year of surgery. Among these infections, deep sepsis occurred in four cases (4.4%) and superficial infection in two (2.2%). The responsible organism in four of the six cases was MRSA. Further analysis showed that patients undergoing surgery for joint replacement of the lower limb were at significantly increased risk of an SSI if previously colonised with MRSA. We conclude that previously MRSA-colonised patients undergoing elective surgery are at an increased risk of an SSI compared with other elective patients, and that this risk is significant for those undergoing joint replacement of the lower limb. Furthermore, when an infection occurs, it is likely to be due to MRSA.     

MRSA infections following colorectal surgery in an enhanced recovery programme

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in a cohort of patients undergoing elective colorectal resections within an enhanced recovery programme. Method A prospective database of all patients undergoing colorectal resections by a single surgical team over a 3.5‐year period was reviewed. Demographics including age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, type of surgery (abdominal or pelvic) and whether or not the procedure was laparoscopic or open were analysed. All patients were screened preoperatively and postoperatively and on discharge for MRSA. Patients found preoperatively to be MRSA positive were excluded from the study. Results In all, 186 patients underwent colorectal resection over the time reviewed. There were 113 laparoscopic resections, 70 open resections and three laparoscopic converted to open resections. Five patients (2.7%) were found to be MRSA positive postoperatively. All of these had open rather than laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.01). Length of stay for patients that had MRSA infections was significantly longer than those remaining MRSA free (P < 0.05). Conclusion These results suggest that patients who successfully undergo laparoscopic colorectal resections within an enhanced recovery programme have a lower incidence of postoperative MRSA infections.     

Nasal MRSA screening for surgical patients: predictive value for postoperative infections caused by MRSA

Purpose

Postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are occasionally fatal. We hypothesized that nasal MRSA screening might predict the risk of postoperative MRSA infections. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the relationship between the positivity of nasal MRSA screening and postoperative MRSA infections.

Methods

Six hundred and fourteen surgical patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and underwent nasal MRSA screening between April 2006 and March 2011 were divided into MRSA-positive and -negative groups. The incidence of postoperative MRSA infections in the MRSA-positive and MRSA-negative groups were compared, and various risk factors for MRSA infections were evaluated.

Results

The incidence of postoperative MRSA infections, such as pneumonia and enteritis, in the MRSA-positive group was significantly higher than that in the MRSA-negative group (41.9 vs. 3.1 %). The significant independent risk factors for postoperative MRSA infections were a positive MRSA screening, an operation lasting more than 300 min and an emergency operation. A positive MRSA screening was the most statistically significant risk factor for postoperative MRSA pneumonia and enteritis, but was not a risk factor for MRSA surgical site infections.

Conclusion

Nasal MRSA screening can help to identify patients who have an increased risk of developing postoperative MRSA infections, and would enable physicians to take a prompt action if these complications occur.     

Financial implications of plans to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an orthopaedic department

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to calculate retrospectively the cost of MRSA infections in the elective and trauma orthopaedic population in Rotherham District General Hospital in a 3-month period during 2005.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 686 patients were admitted to the orthopaedic wards and the surgical wounds 10 patients became infected with MRSA.

RESULTS

The cost of these infections when extrapolated over 12 months was £384,000 excluding staff costs.

CONCLUSIONS

The key in the fight against MRSA in the hospital setting is multifactorial and requires a combination of measures. Our solution is: cohort nursing; non-selective screening of all admissions to the orthopaedic wards; use of a polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool; ring-fencing of beds; and separate wound dressing rooms for each ward. The total cost is projected to be £301,000.     

The role of pre-operative assessment and ringfencing of services in the control of methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus infection in orthopaedic patients

BackgroundMRSA is a major economic and health issue internationally and as such is of particular importance in the appropriate management of orthopaedic patients. Bone, joint and implant infection can lead to unfavourable outcomes with a long protracted in hospital stay inevitable. The cost for the patient, the hospital and society are substantial.Materials and methodsThis study was a review of a prospectively maintained database from our unit over three time points from 2005 to 2007. At each time point a new infection control measure was implemented in an effort to reduce MRSA infections. Total rates of MRSA infection and colonisation in all orthopaedic patients were recorded, before and after separation of trauma and elective services, and after the introduction of a screening pre assessment clinic.Results12259 orthopaedic patients were reviewed over the three years. The mean age of MRSA infected patients was 71. A higher proportion of female patients were infected than male patients. The mean length of stay for infected patients was 23.4 days. The rate of infection dropped from 0.49% in 2005 to 0.24%in 2007. After the introduction of these measures there was a substantial reduction in organ space and deep tissue infections.ConclusionThe separation of emergency and elective orthopaedic services coupled with effective pre-operative screening has resulted in a significant reduction in MRSA infection despite an ever increasing prevalance.     

The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus in orthopaedics in a non-selective screening policy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the true incidence and prevalence of MRSA colonisation and infection in the elective and trauma orthopaedic population in Rotherham District General Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study non-selectively screened 690 consecutive trauma and elective orthopaedic patients over three months in 2005. RESULTS: Of these, 27 were positive for either colonisation or wound infection with MRSA. Of those, 13 were previously known to have been colonised with MRSA and the 14 others were unexpectedly either colonised or subsequently developed wound infections. The new cases would not have been identified using any current selective screening protocol, as they did not fall into a high-risk category. Many were young, had no co-morbidities and no contact with hospitals in the past. Our study seems to indicate that selective screening will miss a significant number of cases. CONCLUSION: We conclude that MRSA screening for all orthopaedic patients is needed when admitted to hospital, as colonisation is no longer confined to what has been previously identified as high-risk groups. The consequences of a subsequent MRSA infection have significant implications, socially, financially and clinically.     

Prevalence of MRSA colonization in an adult urban Indian population undergoing orthopaedic surgery

IntroductionOrthopaedic surgery is technically demanding, implant dependant and expensive. Infection translates into a prolonged morbidity and long-term use of antibiotics. The most common organism involved in osteo-articular infections is Staphylococcus aureus, and colonizes the anterior nares of 25–30% of the population. Carriers are at higher risk for staphylococcal infections after invasive medical or surgical procedures. Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has not been assessed in patients admitted for orthopaedic surgery in the Indian setting.AimTo assess the preoperative prevalence of MRSA colonization in adult patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery in urban India.Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective analysis of patients from 2009 to 2013. A total of 1550 patients admitted for orthopaedic surgery were preoperatively screened with nasal and axillary swabs for MRSA. Swab-positive patients were treated with intranasal mupirocin ointment for 3 days followed by a repeat swab. A record was made of hospitalization in the year prior to surgery and the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI).ResultsA total of 690 males and 860 females had been screened for MRSA using an inexpensive kit costing 500 Indian rupees. For MRSA, 7/1550 (0.45%) nasal swabs were positive. No patient since 2009 has had a SSI with MRSA.ConclusionMRSA screening prior to orthopaedic surgery is a valuable and cost effective preoperative investigation even though the incidence is low. Mupirocin is effective in clearing MRSA from the nares and maybe used for 3 days to obtain elimination of the bacteria.     

Surgical site infection following elective orthopaedic surgeries in geriatric patients: Incidence and associated risk factors

The purposes of this study were to investigate the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) following geriatric elective orthopaedic surgeries and identify the associated risk factors This was a retrospective two‐institution study. Between January 2014 and September 2017, patients aged 60 years or older undergoing elective orthopaedic surgeries were included for data collection and analysis. SSI was identified through the review of patients' medical records for the index surgery and through the readmission diagnosis of SSI. Patients' demographics, characteristics of disease, surgery‐related variables, and laboratory examination indexes were inquired and documented. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were performed to determine independent risk factors for SSI. There were 4818 patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgeries, and within postoperative 1 year, 74 patients were identified to develop SSIs; therefore, the overall incidence of SSI was 3.64%, with 0.4% for deep and 1.1% for superficial infection. Staphylococcus aureus (25/47, 53.2%) and coagulase‐negative staphylococci (11/47, 23.4%) were the most common causative pathogens; half of S. aureus SSIs were caused by Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (12/25, 48.0%). Five risk factors were identified to be independently associated with SSI, including diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.7‐5.6), morbid obesity (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3‐3.9), tobacco smoking (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.1‐6.4), surgical duration>75th percentile (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0‐2.9), and ALB < 35.0 g/L (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3‐3.4). We recommend the optimisation of modifiable risk factors such as morbid obesity, tobacco smoking, and lower serum albumin level prior to surgeries to reduce the risk of SSI.     

The impact of MRSA on vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of MRSA infection in patients treated in a major vascular unit and examine its consequences. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective case-note review was performed. RESULTS: During the period 1993 to 2000, a total of 172 patients (4.4% of total) were positive for MRSA. Of these 97 were colonised and 75 were infected by MRSA. The proportion of wound or graft infections caused by MRSA has increased (4% in 1994 to 63% in 2000). Three patients developed native artery infection (one following aortic stent insertion and 2 following embolectomy). All patients with aortic graft infection died. All patients with infected prosthetic infrainguinal bypass ended up with an amputation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MRSA infection is increasing. Infection of aortic grafts appears to be uniformly fatal and lower limb graft infection is associated with high limb loss.     

Prevalence of MRSA in emergency and elective patients admitted to a vascular surgical unit: implications for antibiotic prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 consecutive emergency/transfer and 150 consecutive elective patients admitted between April 2004 and January 2005, were studied. Data was obtained from departmental Morbidity and Mortality records and the computerised laboratory medicine information system. RESULTS: 261 (75%) of the 350 patients were screened for MRSA on admission (target 100%). The proportions of emergency/transfer and elective patients screened were similar (78% and 72% respectively). The prevalence of MRSA carriage detected by admission screening in emergency/transfer patients 30/153 (20%), was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in elective patients 2/108 (2%). A simple decision analysis model suggests that gentamicin should be used when the prevalence of MRSA reaches 10% and vancomycin when the prevalence reaches 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of MRSA colonisation in emergency/transfer patients has important implications for pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis.     

The role of MRSA screening in joint-replacement surgery

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the effect of screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacements, on reducing hospital-acquired infections and the length of hospital stay. We included 395 patients admitted to the elective orthopaedic ward for hip and knee replacements (knee 210; hip 185) from 16 October 2000 to 15 October 2001. Group 1 included 164 admissions before 16 April 2001 when MRSA swabs were not compulsory. Group 2 included 231 admissions after 16 April 2001 when axillary, nasal and groin swabs had to be negative for MRSA. Four patients in group 1 had post-operative MRSA infection compared with none in group 2. The mean length of hospital stay decreased significantly from 10.43 days ± SD 4.2 days in group 1 to 9.47 days ± SD 2.6 days in group 2. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of hospital-acquired infections following the introduction of pre-admission screening.

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Résumé Le but de cette étude prospective était de déterminer leffet du dépistage du Staphylocoque Aureus Méthicilline Résistant (MRSA) chez des patients devant subir une prothèse de hanche ou de genou, sur la réduction des infections nosocomiales et la durée du séjour hospitalier. Nous avons inclus 395 malades admis pour remplacement prothétique de la hanche et du genou (genou 210 / Hanche 185) du 16 octobre 2000 au 15 octobre 2001. Le groupe 1 a inclus 164 admissions avant le 16 avril 2001 quand les écouvillonnages MRSA nétaient pas obligatoires. Le groupe 2 a inclus 231 admissions après le 16 avril 2001 quand lécouvillonnage axillaire, nasal et inguinal devait être négatif pour le MRSA. Cinq malades du groupe 1 ont eu une infection MRSA postopératoire , comparé à labsence dinfection dans le groupe 2. La durée moyenne de séjour a diminué de 10.43 jours (±SD 4.2 j) dans le groupe 1 à 9.47 jours (±SD 2.6 j ) dans le groupe 2. Il y avait une réduction significative de la fréquence des infections acquises à lhôpital grâce au dépistage avant ladmission.

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First presented as a 10-min free paper at the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) Meeting in Manchester, UK, 16 September 2004.     

Increasing Multidrug Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA Infections of the Hand: A 10-Year Analysis of Risk Factors

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common pathogen isolated from hand abscesses. The purpose of this study was to understand trends and changes in longitudinal antibiotic resistance profiles and risk factors for these infections to better guide empiric treatment of hand infections. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of culture-positive hand infections over a 10-year period at an urban academic institution from 2005 to 2014. A subset of MRSA hand infections from 2013 to 2014 was then subanalyzed for risk factors for antibiotic resistance for antibiotics with increasing antibiotic resistance during this period. Results: MRSA grew in 46% of hand infections, with a decreasing incidence over the 10-year study period. However, in the same time period clindamycin and levofloxacin resistance increased from 7% to 31% and 12% to 56%, respectively. Risk factors for clindamycin resistance included nosocomial infections and a history of intravenous drug use and hepatitis C. Risk factors for levofloxacin resistance included a history of diabetes and a fever upon initial presentation. Conclusions: The incidence of multidrug resistance remains high, with growing resistance to clindamycin and levofloxacin. There remains a trend for increased clindamycin resistance for patients with history of intravenous drug use and nosocomial infections. Our findings indicate that clindamycin and levofloxacin should be avoided for empiric treatment for hand infections in patients with these risk factors.     

MRSA鼻腔筛查可排除MRSA手术部位感染：一项诊断实验meta分析

目的评价耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）鼻腔筛查对于MRSA手术部位感染的诊断价值。 方法检索PubMed、EMBASE、中国知网和万方数据库中,有关MRSA鼻腔筛查与MRSA手术部位感染的文献。纳入文献时间从数据库建立到2019年3月。使用诊断实验质量评价表（QUADAS-2）进行质量评价。采用STATA软件进行分析,结局指标为灵敏度、特异度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、阳性预测值和阴性预测值。 结果最终纳入10篇文献,共39 831名患者。MRSA鼻腔筛查对于诊断及预测MRSA手术部位感染的灵敏度为37%（95% CI：27%,48%）、特异度为95%（95% CI：94%,96%）。阳性似然比为7.98（95% CI：6.37,10.0）,阴性似然比为0.66（95% CI：0.57,0.77）,阳性预测值为9.6%,阴性预测值为99.3%,DOR为12.0（95% CI：8.62,16.8）。异质性来源于MRSA筛查时使用的鉴定方法（PCR法/细菌培养法）。Deeks漏斗图显示,纳入研究不存在发表偏倚。 结论MRSA鼻腔筛查对于筛查MRSA手术部位感染具有较高的特异度和阴性预测值,可用于排除MRSA肺炎,患者鼻腔未定植MRSA,则发展为MRSA手术部位感染的可能性较小。所以,MRSA鼻腔筛查可作为规范抗菌药物经验性用药的一种有效管理工具,尤其可用于减少无鼻腔定植者的经验性治疗。     

Prävention von Methicillin-resistentem S. aureus durch Screeninguntersuchungen

In Germany, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is increasing continuously. To control the spread of MRSA, active surveillance and admission screening are recommended. In most cases, screening cultures of patients at risk for MRSA will be sufficient. Screening of all patients admitted to an ICU is cost-effective when the incidence of MRSA and nosocomial MRSA infections is high (>2 cases/100 patients and 0.3 MRSA infections/100 patients, respectively): Under these circumstances, a decrease in the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infections of 50% leads to cost-effectiveness at costs of 16 Euro/sample (including subsequent costs). If the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infections decreases by 75%, costs of 24 Euro/sample (including subsequent costs) are cost-effective. If the incidence of MRSA is high, screening by PCR may be cost-effective for patients at high risk for MRSA, especially if they are isolated prophylactically. Recently, PCR methods have been developed which allow the specific identification of MRSA even from nasal swabs.     

Investigation of prevalence of MRSA in referrals to neurosurgery: implications for antibiotic prophylaxis

In order to establish the appropriateness of our current prophylactic antibiotic regimen we analysed the prevalence of MRSA in emergency referrals to our unit. MRSA screening records for all emergency admissions for a 3-month period were analysed. One-hundred-and-seventy-five patients were admitted as transfers from another hospital. Evidence of screening was found in 61% (107 patients). Of the screened patients, 15% (16) were MRSA positive. Source of referral or length of inpatient stay after referral to the time of transfer were not predictive for MRSA status. Gentamicin is active against more than 95% of MRSA strains cultured in our hospital and against 87% of MRSA strains cultured in the neurosurgery unit. A number-needed-to-treat (NNT) analysis showed that, with MRSA prevalence at 15%, cefuroxime plus gentamicin at induction could prevent one MRSA infection per 421 treated patients compared with cefuroxime alone. Vancomycin had minimal additional benefit over cefuroxime plus gentamicin (NNT: 1684). We conclude that MRSA carriage is common in patients referred as emergencies from other hospitals. Cefuroxime plus gentamicin can be used as antibiotic prophylaxis in this group. Vancomycin can be reserved for patients known to be colonized with MRSA (NNT: 51).     

Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Elective Hip and Knee Replacements After Confirmed Eradication of MRSA in Chronic Carriers

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is globally endemic and is a leading cause of surgical site infection (SSI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SSI in MRSA carriers undergoing elective hip or knee arthroplasty, who had confirmed eradication and to compare it with incidence of SSI in non-MRSA carriers.

MRSA - 'bug-bear' of a surgical practice: reducing the incidence of MRSA surgical site infections

Adverse publicity (the 'superbug') has demonstrated that the problem of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is prevalent in many of the country's most prestigious hospitals. The results of the mandatory UK Department of Health (DH) surveillance for early surgical site infections in orthopaedic surgery (SSIS) have been published recently for the period April 2004 to March 2005 when 41,242 operations were studied ( 28 October 2005). Infection rates were generally and gratifyingly low but 48% of surgical site infections were caused by Staph. aureus and of those 68% were MRSA. The following article will discuss the aetiology and prevention of MRSA surgical site infection.     

Implementation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention bundle results in decreased MRSA surgical site infections

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infections (SSIs) increase morbidity and mortality. We examined the impact of the MRSA bundle on SSIs.

Methods

Data regarding the implementation of the MRSA bundle from 2007 to 2008 were obtained, including admission and discharge MRSA screenings, overall MRSA infections, and cardiac and orthopedic SSIs. Chi-square was used for all comparisons.

Results

A significant decrease in MRSA transmission from a 5.8 to 3.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P < .05) was found after implementation of the MRSA bundle. Overall MRSA nosocomial infections decreased from 2.0 to 1.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P = .016). There was a statistically significant decrease in overall SSIs (P < .05), with a 65% decrease in orthopaedic MRSA SSIs and 1% decrease in cardiac MRSA SSIs.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that successful implementation of the MRSA bundle significantly decreases MRSA transmission between patients, the overall number of nosocomial MRSA infections, and MRSA SSIs.     

MRSA colonization and acquisition in the burn unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly encountered bacteria in the burn unit. In order to investigate the magnitude of this challenge, we assessed the prevalence of MRSA colonization on admission and the incidence of MRSA acquisition within burn units.MethodsWe searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting MRSA colonization among patients admitted in burn units.ResultsWe identified 16 articles that fulfilled our inclusion criteria and found an overall pooled prevalence of MRSA colonization upon the first 72 h of admission (colonization on admission) to the burn unit of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.7%–5.7%). MRSA acquisition in studies without a decolonization protocol was 21.2% (95% CI: 13.2%–30.5%) with a statistically significant downward trend over the years. Studies that implemented a decolonization protocol yielded a MRSA acquisition incidence rate of 4.5% (95% CI: 0.9%–10.6%). MRSA acquisition was higher among patients that have had inhalation injury (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 2.51–6.23), flame burns (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.25–2.73), or ICU admission (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 2.18–4.47).ConclusionOur study yielded that among burn victims, MRSA colonization prevalence on admission is not negligible and the risk of becoming MRSA colonized during hospitalization is higher when no decolonization protocols are implemented. Flame burns, admission to ICU, and inhalation injury were found to be associated with MRSA acquisition.