Is an increase of MRSA in Oslo, Norway, associated with changed infection control policy?

During 1993-2006, 358 MRSA cases were registered in Oslo; 43.9% detected in Ullevål University Hospital, 21.2% in nursing homes, and 18.7% in primary healthcare. One out of three (30.4%) were import-associated, and one out of 10 (11.2%) were healthcare personnel. From 2004 on, a new National MRSA Control Guideline was introduced in primary healthcare, served by the community infection control. From 2004 on, there was a 4-6-fold increase of MRSA in primary healthcare and nursing homes. Increase of MRSA cases at Ullevål was import-associated or from outbreaks in primary healthcare. There was no increase of internal spread in the hospital. These data indicate that perhaps a less strict national MRSA infection control guideline in Norway may be associated with the 4-6-fold increase of MRSA cases in the community after 2003. Journal of Infection 2007;55(6):531-8.