PREVALENCE OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS NASAL CARRIAGE IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO DRISCOLL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Abstract

A nasal swab specimen was collected for culture within 48 hours of admission and a questionnaire was completed using a convenience sample of 350 patients admitted to Driscoll Children's Hospital between February 15 and March 15, 2005. Of the 350 patients enrolled, 125 (36%) patients were colonized with Staphylococcus. aureus and 76 (61%) of the 125 S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant.