Showing papers by "Ira Madan published in 2000"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the epidemiology of MRSA and its clinical importance in a healthcare setting and discussed the methods of controlling the spread of hospital acquired MRSA with an emphasis on the role of screening staff for MRSA.
Abstract: The first of these articles reviews the epidemiology of MRSA and its clinical importance in a healthcare setting. The methods of controlling the spread of hospital acquired MRSA are discussed with an emphasis on the role of screening staff for MRSA. Relevant papers for the review were identified by a systematic literature search on Medline. The prevalence of MRSA is increasing in the United Kingdom, as is the prevalence of 'epidemic' MRSA strains. Several countries have recently reported cases of Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate-level resistance to vancomycin. The key measures to minimizing hospital-acquired MRSA are stringent infection control programmes and strict antibiotic policies. Staff screening should only be undertaken after a detailed risk assessment of the local situation has been made by the occupational health and infection control teams. Priority should be given to high-risk areas of a hospital where MRSA is endemic.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the epidemiology of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB), and the control of MDRTB in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to management, with liaison between tuberculosis physicians, the microbiology department, infection control team, consultant in communicable disease, and occupational health.
Abstract: Drug resistant tuberculosis has been recognized since chemotherapy first became available. However, drug resistance has increased in many countries, and recently strains resistant to both rifampicin and isoniazid (multidrug resistant tuberculosis) have emerged. This review discusses the epidemiology of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB), and the control of MDRTB in healthcare facilities. Relevant papers for this review were identified by a systematic literature search on Medline. MDRTB is already established world-wide, and although the overall problem of resistance remains low in the UK, it is of significant clinical importance due to its high case-fatality, higher transmission risk, and complex treatment. The key elements of MDRTB control are prompt recognition, confirmation and treatment of cases, and the institution of strict infection control procedures to reduce the airborne spread of infection from infectious patients to others. This review emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to management, with liaison between tuberculosis physicians, the microbiology department, infection control team, consultant in communicable disease, and occupational health.
5 citations