Objective: Occupationally acquired infection
with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) can cause severe health problems
in healthcare workers (HCW). However,
to date there have been no studies to establish
the frequency of occupationally acquired
MRSA infections among HCWs in Germany.
This paper presents data from an accident
insurance company for occupational MRSA
infections.
Methods: Claims for suspected MRSA infections
that were submitted to the BGW (insurance
organization for the health and welfare
sectors) between 2006 and 2007 and recognized
as occupational disease (OD) were taken
from the BGW database. The medical files for
each of these OD claims were then analyzed.
Information on the workplace infection risk,
details of the infection and the reasons for
recognition as an OD were documented.
Results: Of the 389 filed claims of suspected
MRSA, 17 cases were recognized as OD.
Most of the employees suffering from MRSA
worked in care homes or hospitals. The most
frequent sites of MRSA infection were ENT
and the skin. In three cases a secondary infection
occurred following injury to the skin.
In four cases MRSA infection resulted in longterm
inability to work. In eight cases index
patients were known and in one of these
cases a genetic link was demonstrated between
the index patient and the employee.
In five cases a possible non-occupational
cause of infection could be identified. Criteria
for the decision that an MRSA infection is
an occupational disease include contact with
MRSA-positive patients and an increased
MRSA-risk at the workplace.
Conclusion: It appears that there is a low risk
of occupationally acquired MRSA infection.
However, as an infection can have serious
consequences for the employees involved
and MRSA patients who have not been identified
represent an increased risk of infection
to employees, surveillance of risk patients
should be improved as a means of preventing
further MRSA infections.
