BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to survey the nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among the patients admitted in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and analyze risk factors associated with the colonization. METHODS: The study was carried out on patients admitted into the MICU in a 1,250-bed tertiary care university hospital from January through December 2006. Nasal surveillance cultures were obtained from patients within 24 hours of admission to the unit. Data were analyzed retrospectively by the review of medical records. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were screened with active nasal cultures; 36 patients (11.6%) were positive for MRSA. Of these, 22 (7.1%) were positive in the nasal cultures only and 14 (4.5%) were positive in the cultures of other specimens (13, sputum; 1, joint fluid) in addition to the nasal swabs. Among the risk factors for MRSA nasal colonization were sex (man), route of admission (from other ICUs or wards), a history of ICU admission during the recent 12 months, and prolonged hospital days in ICU. CONCLUSION: MRSA nasal carrier rate was found higher in this study than in those reported in the literature. Most of the patients colonized with MRSA in the nostril were not colonized with the organism elsewhere in the body. Whether or not active surveillance for MRSA should be performed would depend on the nasal colonization rate of the patients at the time of admission to the ICU.
Colon* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Joints ; Medical Records ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sputum ; Tertiary Healthcare

BACKGROUND: A bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) is useful in diagnosing the etiology of bilateral pulmonary infiltrations, but may worsen the oxygenation and clinical status in severely hypoxemic patients. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of the continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) using a conventional mechanical ventilator via a face mask as a tool for maintaining the oxygenation level during BAL. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with the bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FIO2 ratio Anoxia* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Bronchoscopes ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure* ; Gases ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intubation ; Masks ; Mouth ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: A bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) is useful in diagnosing the etiology of bilateral pulmonary infiltrations, but may worsen the oxygenation and clinical status in severely hypoxemic patients. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of the continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) using a conventional mechanical ventilator via a face mask as a tool for maintaining the oxygenation level during BAL. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with the bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FIO2 ratio Anoxia* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Bronchoscopes ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure* ; Gases ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intubation ; Masks ; Mouth ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: The mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is > 40-50%. Although some prospective trials have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit of steroids in the early stages of ARDS, there are some reports showing some success with steroids in the later stages. This study observed the changes in the physiologic parameters with time in late ARDS patients who were treated with steroids. METHODS: The medical charts of 28 intensive care unit patients(male:female=24:4; mean age 64 years), who had been diagnosed with refractory late ARDS (PaO2/FIO2 < 200) and were treated with corticosteroids from December 1999 to July 2002, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the weaned group(n=14), which included the patients who had been successfully weaned from a ventilator after corticosteroid therapy, and the failed group(n=14), which included the patients who had failed weaning. The physiologic parameters included the PaO2/FIO2 ratio, the positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) level, the PaCO2, compliance, the sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA) score, the acute physiologic and the chronic health evaluation(APACHE) II score, and the Murray Lung Injury Score(LIS) in the two groups were compared from the day of mechanical ventilation(Dmv) to 7 days after the corticosteroid therapy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics and the physiologic parameters between the two groups prior to the corticosteroid therapy except for the SOFA score at Dmv(weaned group : 6.6+/-2.5 vs failed group : 8.8+/-2.9, p=0.047) . However, within 7 days after corticosteroid therapy, there was significant improvement in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio, the PEEP level, the PaCO2, the SOFA score, the APACHE II score, and the LIS of the weaned group compared to the failed group. CONCLUSIONS: During corticosteroid therapy in late ARDS, the continuation of corticosteroid therapy should be determined carefully in patients who do not show improvement in their physiologic parameters by day 7.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; APACHE ; Compliance ; Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung Injury ; Methylprednisolone ; Mortality ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weaning