Reduction in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in tissue and wound swab samples taken from outpatients attending a specialist diabetic foot clinic 2005-2021.

Prevalence of MRSA in DFU infections treated as outpatients is decreasing in line with falls in hospital acquired blood-borne infections and with overall hospital MRSA incidence. This is likely a reflection of the combination of interventions, including stringent antibiotic prescribing and decolonisation strategies. Reduction in prevalence should have positive impact on outcomes in people living with diabetes, reducing the complication of osteomyelitis and necessity for long-term antibiotic administration.