A retrospective review of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, for the years 1994 through 1997, found that the annual number of community-acquired MRSA isolates increased during the period. These outpatient isolates were more likely than inpatient isolates to be sensitive to a greater number of antibiotics.

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Reduced dexterity (DEX) is a problem in cold weather with a need for countermeasures that increase hand (T) and finger (T) temperatures and improve DEX. The purpose of the study was to determine whether heat applied to the forearm (ARM), face (FACE) or both (COMB) at the beginning of cold exposure (COLD; 0.5°C, 120-min) or after T fell to 10.5°C (delayed trials, D) improves temperatures and DEX. Eight volunteers (26±9 yr) completed 7 COLD trials: ARM, ARM-D, FACE, FACE-D, COMB, COMB-D, and no heating (CON). Temperatures and DEX were measured before (BASE) and during COLD. Data are reported for min 90. Thand was warmer (p<0.001) during ARM (18.0±2.6°C) and COMB (18.9±2.0°C) vs. CON (15.3±1.5) and FACE (15.8±1.5°C) for heating that was initiated at the beginning of COLD. T was higher (p<0.04) during COMB (12.7±5.1°C) vs. CON (9.7±2.1°C) and FACE (8.9±2.2°C). The change from BASE for Purdue pegboard assembly (# of pieces) was less (p<0.005) in COMB (-4.5±3.3) and ARM (-5.0±6.0) vs. CON (-13.0±7.3) and FACE (-10.0±8.3). There was no change in finger key pinch strength from BASE to min-90 in ARM or COMB, but decreased by 20% in CON and FACE. There were no differences in T, T, and DEX when comparing heating that was initiated at the beginning of COLD vs. delayed heating. In conclusion, forearm heating improved Thand and T and reduced the decline in DEX by 20-50% and finger strength by 90%. Delayed heating had no deleterious effect on temperatures and hand function.