The effect of routine surveillance and decolonization on the rate of Staphylococcus aureus infections in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit

Objective To evaluate the impact of active surveillance cultures (ASC) for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and decolonization on the rate of infection in neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study design Using a quasi-experimental design with control groups, rates of SA infections before and after implementing weekly ASC and topical mupirocin decolonization in a level IV NICU were compared. Comparators were the rates of gram negative bloodstream infections (BSI) and of SA BSI at an affiliated NICU where the intervention was not implemented. Result There was a 77% ( p < 0.010) reduction in rate of NICU-wide methicillin-susceptible SA (MSSA) BSI, but no significant change in rate of methicillin-resistant SA BSI, likely due to a prevalent mupirocin-resistant clone. Rates of gram negative BSI and SA BSI at an affiliated NICU did not change significantly. Conclusion Weekly ASC and decolonization were associated with a unit-wide reduction in MSSA infections in a NICU.