Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes: can an improvement in infection control practices decrease MRSA prevalence?

ISRCTN	ISRCTN79334890
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN79334890
Protocol serial number	EAT/2953/04
Sponsor	Queens University Belfast (UK)
Funder	Central Services Agency, a part of the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services (NIHSS), Reasearch and Development Office (EAT/2953/04)

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Dr Michael Tunney
Scientific

Queen's University Belfast
School of Pharmacy
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
United Kingdom

Email	m.tunney@qub.ac.uk

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Phase 1 is observational; Phase 2 is a cluster randomised controlled trial
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title
Study objectives	1. What is the prevalence of MRSA in nursing homes in the Northern Health and Social Services Board? 2. Can an improvement in infection control standards result in a decrease in MRSA prevalence in nursing homes in this board area?
Ethics approval(s)	Ethical approval granted by the Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (ORECNI) on 03/11/2005, reference number: 05/NIR03/154
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) colonisation
Intervention	Nasal and skin swab and urinary catheter sample where appropriate from residents in both phases 1 and 2. In phase 2, homes assigned to the intervention group will receive an audit of current infection control practices followed by infection control training and feedback. In control homes, routine care will continue as normal.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	In phase 1, determination of MRSA prevalence in nursing homes in Northern Health and Social Services (NHSSB). In phase 2, the prevalence of MRSA in intervention homes compared to control homes following infection control intervention, audit and feedback.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Not provided at time of registration
Completion date	01/11/2008

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Senior
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	66
Key inclusion criteria	Phase 1: all nursing homes in the Northern Board will be asked to participate. Within these homes, all residents and staff will be invited to participate. Phase 2: For a nursing home to be considered in this phase, it must have at least 20 consenting adults.
Key exclusion criteria	Nursing home residents who are terminally ill, in a coma or not deemed fit to personally give consent and have no next-of-kin available to give consent, will be excluded from both phases of the trial. For staff, there are no specific exclusion criteria, other than failure to provide written informed consent.
Date of first enrolment	01/11/2005
Date of final enrolment	01/11/2008

Queen's University Belfast

Belfast
BT9 7BL
United Kingdom

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Results article	results	01/09/2010		Yes	No
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes