JANN-TAY WANGLauderdale T.-L.Lee W.-S.Huang J.-H.Wang T.-H.SHAN-CHWEN CHANG2020-12-302020-12-3020100929-6646https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77952315131&doi=10.1016%2fS0929-6646%2810%2960051-4&partnerID=40&md5=8d827e8152d4fa45bd5d050a956a4925https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/536165Background/Purpose: Previous research has suggested that active surveillance and early initiation of contact isolation (ASI) can control the nosocomial spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), especially among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, these interventions have never been implemented in Taiwan. Methods: This study was conducted from September 2005 to October 2006 to evaluate the effect of ASI on the spread of MRSA in two medical centers in Taiwan with a high prevalence of MRSA. One ICU from each hospital was selected as a study site. In phase I (the first 6 months), only active surveillance was introduced. In phase II (the final 6 months), ASI for patients who had positive MRSA cultures was implemented. Results: The incidence of acquiring MRSA during ICU stay did not differ significantly during phases I and II in hospital A (p = 0.940) and hospital B (p = 0.810). The independent risk factors for acquiring MRSA in the ICU were length of stay and presence of respiratory tract diseases. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, given the current resource limitations, ASI alone could not reduce MRSA transmission in two ICUs in Taiwan, where the MRSA prevalence was high. ? 2010 Formosan Medical Association & Elsevier.[SDGs]SDG3antibiotic agent; adult; antibiotic sensitivity; article; bacterial transmission; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; chronic kidney failure; diabetes mellitus; female; health survey; hospital infection; human; infection control; intensive care unit; length of stay; major clinical study; male; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection; prevalence; respiratory tract disease; sputum culture; throat culture; urogenital tract disease; Adult; Aged; Cross Infection; Female; Humans; Infection Control; Intensive Care Units; Male; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Program Evaluation; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections; Taiwan; Time Factorsjournal article10.1016/S0929-6646(10)60051-420434035