Selective Use of Intranasal Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine Bathing and the Incidence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Infection Among Intensive Care Unit Patients

We conclude that the selective use of intranasal mupirocin and daily chlorhexidine bathing for patients colonized with MRSA reduced the incidence of MRSA colonization and infection and contributed to reductions identified by active-surveillance cultures. This finding suggests that additional strategies to reduce the incidence of MRSA infection and colonization--beyond expanded surveillance--may be needed.