29/11/05 - MRSA in Care Homes

New statistics reveal nearly a quarter of residents in Leeds care homes have tested positive for the MRSA superbug.

But medics who carried out the research stress MRSA is a naturally occurring bug that can live on the skin harmlessly and those people with it are not in immediate danger.

The study, which tested 712 residents in around 40 care homes, represents a UK first. All were swabbed and 22 per cent were found to be carrying MRSA in the nose.

No thorough study has been done to test levels of MRSA in the wider community, but anecdotal evidence suggests a rate of about one per cent.

"We have done this because we think we can potentially make things better," said Professor Mark Wilcox, consultant in microbiology at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and a key figure in the research, which also involved the Health Protection Agency, West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority and all five primary care trusts in Leeds.

All the people who took part, in both private and council-run homes, gave their consent.

The results, which were presented to Leeds City Council,have not been broken down to show which homes had the highest rates of the potentially deadly bug.

Prof Wilcox said: "This information shouldn't alter people's decision to go into a care home. It wouldn't honestly affect my decision.

All of these homes should have policies for infection control. One practical thing that relatives can do for re-assurance is ask to see these policies."

Nadra Ahmed, chairman of the National Care Homes Association, said: "It's easy to shift the blame on to residential care. But when these people are coming out to us (from hospital] where are the guarantees they are coming out without MRSA?"

Source : leedstoday