. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more
than 80000 cases of invasive MRSA infections occurred
in the United States in 2011, with more than 11000
deaths.1 Colonization with S aureus may precede infection.
Culture swabs of the anterior nares can identify
patients who are colonized with MRSA even though
they may show no signs or symptoms of infection.2
MRSA and other microbes have been cultured from
bath basins in ICUs,3 which may contribute to colonization
of the patient’s skin and lead to secondary
contamination at other sites.4