ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical distribution and changes of antimicrobial resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus (SA), as well as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of infection. MethodsThe clinical data and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of SA were collected from Jan, 2008 to Dec, 2014 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The WHONET 5.5 software was used to analyze the resistance data. ResultsA total of 5 698 SA isolates were included within 7 years. Of all strains, 2 721 (47.8%) were isolated from secretion, 1 638 (28.75%) were from respiratory tract specimens, 451 (7.9%) were from pus, and 362 (6.4%) were from blood. 811 (49.5%) SA isolates from respiratory tract specimens were Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which was higher than those from secretion, pus and blood. 1052 (18.5%) SA strains were isolated from the dermatological department, 604 (10.6%) were from the orthopedics department, 472 (8.3%) were from the intensive care unit (ICU), 471 (8.3%) were from the department of burn, and the detection rate of MRSA from ICU (341, 72.2%) was the highest. During last 7 years, the total separation rate of SA was 8.2%, among them 1 858 (32.6%) MRSA were isolated, and the detection rate was 32.6%. The resistant rate of SA to erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin had a statistically significant decrease from 2008 to 2014, while the resistant rate of SA to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole had increased. No vancomycin, linezolid, teicoplanin or tigecycline resistant strain was detected. The resistance rates of MRSA to common antibiotics such as penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, rifampin and fluoroquinolones were higher than those of MSSA, while the resistance rate of MRSA to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was lower than MSSA. ConclusionCompared with the monitoring data in China, the drug resistance of SA in West China Hospital is well controlled. However, experience-directed antibiotic treatment of MRSA infection is still limited. MRSA infection remains a serious problem in critically ill patients. The rational use of antibiotics and application of effective infection control measures are important to decrease the MRSA infection.