A report from MRSA Action UK, shows the importance of preventing spread of MSSA and MRSA in the home and in everyday life, not just in relation to healthcare. http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/mrsa-action-uk/article/change-in-universal-screening-policy-for-mrsa-coincides-with
They say “Latest figures show 65% of MRSA bloodstream infections arising in UK hospitals were attributable to causes outside the hospital setting. Figures show increased numbers of bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including strains susceptible to Meticillin (MSSA). This coincides with the decision to abandon screening of patients entering hospitals since 2014.
There were 8,767 cases of MSSA reported in primary care settings 5 years ago, rising by 18% to 10,584 in 2016. It is unclear what proportion were attributed to lapses in care or unrelated to healthcare, but in terms of tackling antibiotic resistance, it is a worrying trend if more antibiotics are needed to tackle the infections”.
This data suggests shows that Staph. aureus, a pathogen that we live with every day mostly without showing any clinical symptoms, is a significant challenge outside as well as inside hospital. It shows that tackling MRSA in hospitals cannot be achieved without also reducing circulation of MRSA in the community i.e by closing the circle. Staph aureus is a skin borne organism which is continuously shed on skin particles from a carrier or infected person. This being the case – why are we lowering domestic laundry temperatures, without any regard to the fact that this is associated with a significant decrease in laundry hygiene effectiveness?
For more infomation
Bloomfield SF. Infectious disease prevention in the home and community – closing the circle. Perspectives in Public health 2015; 135:277-8
Bloomfield SF. Spread of antibiotic resistant strains in the home and community. International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/review/spread-antibiotic-resistant-strains-home-and-community
