The changing face of cellulitis and MRSA in rural Canada: a clinical update.

137 T empiric treatment of cellu litis in northwestern On tario used to be relatively straightforward. The choice of antibiotic was typically cephalexin, which provided reasonable coverage for staphylococcus and streptococcus, if systemic treatment was required. However, several recent studies and regional bacterial surveillance have altered the options for empiric treatment. Because superinfections can affect even small rural hospitals, rural clin icians have to consider their role in anti biotic stewardship. For example, do good wound hygiene and follow-up suffice? Evidence now demonstrates that incision and drainage (I&D) of uncomplicated abscesses is sufficient without concomitant antibiotic coverage. If antibiotics are needed, does our choice of medication cover for increasing rates of community-associated methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA) seen in soft tissue infections?