Comparison of Elution Swab (ESwab) and Amies Transport Swabs for Screening Patients for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Colonization

NCT ID: NCT00941122

Last Updated: 2011-07-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2009-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2011-03-31

Brief Summary

1.To assess whether the Elution swab (ESwab) is superior to Amies transport swabs for the detection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in colonized patients and to determine whether nasal cultures alone is sufficient for detection of MRSA isolates in hospitalized patients. 2.To assess patient comfort in the use of the ESwab vs. Amies Transport swab for screening patients for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

Detailed Description

MRSA is a major cause of nosocomial and life threatening infections. Infections with MRSA have been associated with a significantly higher morbidity, mortality and costs than methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA).1 Selection of these organisms has been greatest in the healthcare setting; however, MRSA have also become more prevalent in the community.2 To control the transmission of MRSA, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has recommended guidelines, which include an active surveillance program to identify potential reservoirs and a rigorous infection control program to control the spread of MRSA. Accurate identification of patients colonized with MRSA is essential in managing the transmission of the organism. It is currently unknown whether the currently utilized collection rayon swab is the optimal swab in detecting colonized patients The purpose of this study is to directly compare whether Eluted (ESwab) swab is superior to the currently utilized rayon swab in identifying MRSA/VRE colonized patients.

Conditions

Eluted Swab

Study Design

• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

MRSA/VRE patients

patients known to be colonized with MRSA/VRE

Eluted Swab

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Comparison of Eluted Swab with AMIES swab for detection of MRSA/VRE

Interventions

Eluted Swab

Comparison of Eluted Swab with AMIES swab for detection of MRSA/VRE

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Hospitallized patients known to be colonized with MRSA/VRE

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to provide informed consent

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

McMaster University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

McMaster University

Principal Investigators

Christine Lee, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

McMaster University

Locations

St. Joseph's Healthcare

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

Other Identifiers

MRSA.VRE.Detection

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id