Post-hospital MRSA infections reduced by 30 percent through use of antiseptic soap, mouthwash, and antibiotic nasal ointment
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and hospitalizations after hospital discharge were reduced by 30 percent in patients known to carry the bacteria on their body by a treatment that cleansed the bacteria from their skin or in their noses, according to new research funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Patients were treated with a combination of an over-the-counter antiseptic for bathing or showering, plus prescription antiseptic mouthwash and antibiotic nasal ointment.
The study in the February 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine included more than 2,000 patients with MRSA who were discharged from Southern California hospitals between 2011 and 2014. Patients in one group received an educational binder with recommendations for preventing infections via personal hygiene, laundry, and household cleaning. A second group received the same educational materials, but for 6 months also took steps to remove MRSA from their skin and noses with chlorhexidine antiseptic for bathing, chlorhexidine mouthwash, and the nasal antibiotic ointment mupirocin.
In the overall treatment group, the 30 percent reduction in MRSA infections was accompanied by a 17 percent reduction in all infections, according to the study results. Of note, participants who followed the treatment completely had a 44 percent reduction in MRSA infections and a 40 percent reduction in all infections. Side effects were minimal among patients who used the decolonization treatment. About 2 percent of patients reported mild side effects to the antiseptic for bathing, while 1 percent reported mild side effects to the mouthwash or nasal ointment. About 40 percent of those who experienced side effects from a product opted to continue their use.
The study, known as the Project CLEAR (Changing Lives by Eradicating Antibiotic Resistance) is a prime example of AHRQ’s efforts to generate evidence and tools to help the healthcare system improve patient safety.
