High prevalence nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among long term care facility healthcare workers in relation to patient contact

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission of MRSA. We conducted a prospective study to define the frequency of S. aureus nasal colonization with emphasis on the carriage of MRSA in HCWs in relation to the intensity of patient contact.Out-of-hospital care emergency medical technicians and students, and HCWs in the emergency...