TIDE (Trial of Decolonisation)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A multi-centre, randomised controlled, non-inferiority and cost effectiveness trial comparing Polyhexanide and Chlorhexidine with Neomycin to Mupirocin for nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonisation amongst adult hospital in-patients

• IRAS ID

  1004425

• Contact name

  Liz Cook

• Contact email

  liz.cook@york.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Eudract number

  2021-006732-96

• ISRCTN Number

  ISRCTN12184897

• Research summary

  Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) live on and around us without causing harm. Patients coming into hospital who carry S. aureus in the nose and skin are at increased risk of developing infections if the bacteria access areas such as the site of surgery or a drip to give fluid or drugs. These infections are difficult to treat when a resistance to penicillin has built up, known as meticillin-resistant S. Aureus(MRSA). To reduce the risk of getting an infection while in hospital, many patients are routinely “decolonised” of the S. aureus bacteria. This usually involves the patient applying a nasal ointment, mupirocin (a type of antibiotic), 3 times daily for 5 days and using a body wash.
  Some S. aureus is resistant to mupirocin so it is not good to rely on a single treatment. This study will look at 2 alternatives to find out if they are as effective as mupirocin. The different treatments are already used in the NHS. 3000 adult in-patients who are found to carry MRSA after a routine screening swab on admission will take part in the study. Participants will be put in one of 3 groups. One group will be given the usual treatment of nasal mupirocin, the second will use an antiseptic and the third group an antibiotic. This is a randomised study and neither the patient nor the clinician will choose the group. All 3 groups will use body wash for 5 days. Nasal swabs will be taken 48 hours and 4 weeks after finishing treatment and the number of successful nasal decolonisations will be compared.
  We plan to include participants who are unable to give consent for themselves, for example people with dementia. This is a vulnerable group, but it is important to ensure they are included as they make up a large proportion of those at risk.
  The results will be shared throughout the NHS, charities and those who write guidelines for doctors. We will write a summary of the results for patients, families, carers and all those who help deliver the trial in NHS hospital

• REC name

  East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/EM/0096

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 Jun 2022

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion