Abstract
A new supervisory measures against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections following gastroenterological surgery were tried, resulting in zero MRSA infections. A supervision consisting of the following measures was commenced on patients who underwent surgery for the digestive tract from July, 1991. The measures were: 1) bacteriological test of the rectum and nasal cavity at the time of admission; 2) disinfection of the nasopharynx with povidone-iodine after the bacteriological test onward; 3) administration of the first or second generation cefem antibiotics for just three days of before, during and after the surgery; and 4) bacteriological test of the rectum, nasal cavity and gastric tube contents at the operative day and the third postoperative day. MRSA infection increased gradually as 2.6% in 1988, 8.5% in 1989, 15.0% in 1990, and 19.4% in the former period of 1991 before the supervisionary year. Owing to the supervision, MRSA infection decreased to 9.1% (6/66 patients) in the latter period of 1991, and there was none in the former period of 1992. Toxic shock syndrome, occurred in four cases (6.0%) in the former period of 1991, disappeared in the latter period of 1991 onward. Other bacterial infections have also decreased as MRSA infections.
The supervisory measures are useful against both MRSA and other bacterial infections following gastroenterological surgery.
