Table 3 Definition of key terms employed throughout the analyses
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Hygiene compliance level | Hospital compliance with hand washing, wearing gloves, etc., varying between 0 (corresponding to hygiene compliance parameter η = 0) and 1 (corresponding to hygiene compliance parameter η = 1). |
Screening | Identify the carriers and place them on contact precautions within the hospital. “x% screening” interpretation here: hospital compliance to finding and placing carriers on contact precautions; varies between 0% (corresponding to screening efficacy parameter s = 0): no MRSA carrier is placed on contact precaution and 100% (corresponding to screening efficacy parameter s = 1): all MRSA carriers are placed on the same contact precautions as the MRSA-infected patients. |
Decolonization | Identify the carriers and apply decolonization regimens within the hospital. “x% decolonization” interpretation here: actual efficacy of decolonization protocol, varying between 0% (corresponding to decolonization efficacy parameter d = 0): no successful decolonization, and 100% (corresponding to decolonization efficacy parameter d = 1): 100% of patients decolonized daily return to susceptible status. |
Vaccine efficacy against colonization | Vaccine-induced protection against carriage acquisition (reduced risk of colonization once vaccinated); can be varied between 0% (corresponding to vaccine efficacy parameter ν CC = ν CH = 0) and 100% (corresponding to vaccine efficacy parameter ν CC = ν CH = 1). Here we assumed for simplicity that ν CC = ν CH . |
Vaccine efficacy against infection if colonized | Vaccine-induced protection against developing actual MRSA infection in MRSA-colonized patients (lower risk of developing MRSA infection in MRSA vaccinated colonized patients); can be varied between 0% (corresponding to vaccine efficacy parameter ν IC = ν IH = 0) and 100% (corresponding to vaccine efficacy parameter ν IC = ν IH = 1) . Here we assumed for simplicity that ν IC = ν IH . |
Vaccine coverage | Fraction of admitted patients who got vaccinated prior to admission to the hospital. “x% vaccine coverage” interpretation here: x% of the patients admitted daily into the hospital have been vaccinated prior to admission; can be varied between 0% (corresponding to vaccine coverage parameter c = 0) and 100% (corresponding to vaccine coverage parameter c = 1). |