Rapid control of an outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus on a neonatal intensive care department using standard infection control practices and nasal mupirocin

Background Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen in neonatal intensive care departments, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Frequently, S aureus outbreaks may last for months or years. After a cluster of 4 clinically significant S aureus infections in a 7-day period in our 35-bed neonatal intensive care department, we immediately introduced standard outbreak control measures. Unique to our approach was the addition of immediate nasal mupirocin treatment of all staff members and selected patients. Methods Patients were screened for S aureus colonization and were cohorted with separate caregivers. S aureus isolates were submitted to a reference laboratory for pulse-field gel electrophoretic typing. Infection control practices were emphasized and education was provided for staff, physicians, and parents of patients. All caregivers and selected patients were treated immediately with nasal mupirocin. Cohorting was maintained until all patients who were colonized or infected were discharged.