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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 10, 2011
Bed occupancy and turnover interval as determinant factors in MRSA infections in acute settings in Northern Ireland:
J B Cunningham1, W G Kernohan, R Sowney
1Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, The University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. jb.cunningham@ulster.ac.uk
Insights
Rapid patient turnover in hospitals is linked to higher rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. This study highlights the importance of managing bed turnover interval to control MRSA spread in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare epidemiology
- Infectious disease control
- Hospital management
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in hospital environments.
- Understanding factors influencing MRSA rates is crucial for effective infection prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between hospital bed management metrics and MRSA rates.
- To determine if bed turnover interval (TI) or percentage bed occupancy (PO) has a greater impact on MRSA rates per 1000 patient episodes (PE).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of annual hospital statistics and Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre (CDSC) data from Northern Ireland (2001-2003).
- Statistical correlation analysis between TI, PO, and MRSA (PE).
- Partial correlation analysis to assess the relative influence of TI and PO on MRSA rates.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between TI and MRSA (PE) in 2002-2003 (r=-0.854, P<0.01).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between PO and MRSA (PE) in 2002-2003 (r=0.679, P<0.05).
- TI demonstrated a greater influence on MRSA (PE) rates compared to PO.
Conclusions:
- Rapid patient turnover (shorter bed turnover interval) is a key factor associated with increased MRSA rates in acute hospitals.
- Hospital bed management strategies, particularly those affecting patient flow, may play a role in controlling MRSA transmission.
Abstract:
The following data were obtained from annual hospital statistics in Northern Ireland and from the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre (CDSC) Northern Ireland for 2001-2002 and 2002-2003: bed turnover interval (TI), percentage bed occupancy (PO) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates per 1000 bed-days of patient episodes [MRSA (PE)]. A significant negative correlation was established (r=-0.854; P<0.01) between TI and MRSA (PE) in 2002-2003. A significant positive correlation for PO and MRSA (PE) (r=0.679; P<0.05) was also found for the same year. The correlation for TI and MRSA (PE) in 2001-2002 was r=0.621 (P<0.05), but no significant correlation was established for PO and MRSA (PE) in the same year. Partial correlation indicated that the influence on MRSA (PE) rates was greater for TI than for PO. These results infer that a rapid turnover of patients is an important factor influencing MRSA rates within acute hospitals.
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