The Value of Pre-Operative Screening for MRSA in the Reduction of Sepsis in Total Hip Replacement Associated with MRSA. A Prospective Audit

This audit was set up at Frimley Park Hospital in 1996 to assess how screening patients for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) before total hip replacement would affect the post-operative rate of wound infection with this multi-resistant organism.

Over 12 months, 123 patients were screened for MRSA during their pre-operative assessment for total hip replacement. Four ‘screen-positive’ patients were identified, treated and their surgery postponed until clearance; none developed MRSA – related problems.

The wound infection rate did not significantly drop when compared to a similar unscreened patient cohort who had undergone total hip replacement the previous year.