Dispersal and transfer ofStaphylococcus aureusin an isolation ward for burned patients

Abstract

SummaryThe dispersal ofStaphylococcus aureusfrom burned patients, the relation between nasal carriage by the staff and exposure to airborneStaph. aureus, and the transfer ofStaph. aureus-carrying particles within the ward have been studied. The dispersal ofStaph. aureusfrom burned patients was correlated to the size of the burn wound. The median values varied from 21 c.f.u./m.2/hr. for patients with small burns to 453 c.f.u./m.2/hr. for extensively burned patients. The size of the dispersed particles appeared to be smaller than that usually found in hospital wards. Carriage of nasal strains by the staff was correlated to the air counts; the number of patient sources did not seem to be of great importance. The transfer ofStaph. aureuswithin the ward was at least 6 to 20 times that which would have been expected if transfer was due to air movement only.