American journal of ophthalmology
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To screen environmental surfaces of an outpatient ophthalmic clinic for methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA); to identify the most commonly contaminated surfaces and to phenotype and genotype all collected isolates. ⋯ The proposed surveillance protocol successfully allowed the detection of both MSSA and MRSA contaminating important high-touch surfaces in a representative ophthalmology clinic. Frequently contaminated surfaces must be targeted for routine cleaning and disinfection because there is a constant introduction of clones over time. Hence, other clinics may consider implementing and adapting surveillance tools, like the one described here, to help them control these important nosocomial pathogens.