Bed occupancy and overcrowding as determinant factors in the incidence of MRSA infections within general ward settings

J Hosp Infect. 2003 Aug;54(4):316-8. doi: 10.1016/s0195-6701(03)00153-1.

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence and bed occupancy rates at St Luke's Hospital, Malta, were assessed over a 24-month period. A significant positive correlation was established (r=0.463; P<0.05) between new cases of MRSA infections and overall levels of bed occupancy. This would imply that overcrowding may be a relevant factor in MRSA spread within hospitals, even in non-intensive care settings.

MeSH terms

  • Bed Occupancy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Crowding*
  • Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over
  • Hospitals, Religious
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infection Control
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Malta / epidemiology
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / supply & distribution
  • Patients' Rooms
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Workload