Multidrug-resistant organism carriage among residents from residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong: a prevalence survey with stratified cluster sampling

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A point prevalence survey was conducted to study the epidemiology of and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant organism carriage among residents in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs). METHODS: (CPE). One third of the MRSA-positive samples were selected at random for molecular typing; all positive MDRA, VRE and CPE samples were tested for molecular typing. Demographic and health information of residents including medical history, history of hospitalisation, antimicrobial usage, and use of indwelling catheters were collected to determine any associated risk factors. RESULTS: Samples of 1028 residents from 20 RCHEs were collected. Prevalence of MRSA was estimated as 30.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]=25.1%-35.6%) and MDRA 0.6% (95% CI=0.1%-4.1%). No residents carried VRE nor CPE. Residents living in privately run RCHEs were associated with MRSA carriage. Non-Chinese residents were associated with MRSA carriage with borderline significance. CONCLUSIONS: This survey provided information about multidrug-resistant organism carriage among RCHE residents. This information will enable us to formulate targeted surveillance and control strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms.