Use of Bacterial Interference to Control a Staphylococcal Nursery Outbreak

Abstract

DELIBERATE colonization of newborn infants with a coagulase-positive<i>Staphylococcus</i>of relatively low pathogenicity (502A) has previously been employed as a means of controlling nursery outbreaks of pathogenic staphylococci. Studies in several university centers^1-4have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of this procedure. The present report demonstrates that the procedure can be utilized equally effectively in a nonuniversity affiliated community hospital. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> <b>Newborn Nursery.</b>—Marion, Ind is a community in Northeast Indiana with a population of 48,000 to 50,000. The Marion General Hospital, a privately supported community hospital, serves a total population of 76,000. It has a capacity of 250 beds and 36 bassinets. There are approximately 1,800 deliveries annually. All newborn infants are housed in the newborn unit adjacent to the delivery room and obstetrical department. The average daily census is 20 babies. The newborn unit has a total floor space of 1,500 sq ft. It is