A multidisciplinary approach to reducing outbreaks and nosocomial MRSA in a university-affiliated hospital

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Control
• Public Health

Background:

• Endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly increases patient morbidity, hospital stays, and healthcare costs.
• Effective prevention of MRSA transmission requires innovative and targeted strategies within healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary infection control program on reducing nosocomial MRSA incidence.
• To identify high-incidence units and implement specific interventions to control MRSA spread.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive statistics identified high-incidence units for MRSA.
• Screening of at-risk patients upon admission and point prevalence studies were conducted.
• Interventions included staff education, enhanced environmental cleaning, and monitoring of control charts.

Main Results:

• A 60% decrease in nosocomial MRSA was observed between 2000 and 2001.
• MRSA incidence rates per 1000 patient-days decreased from 0.61 in 2000 to 0.21 in 2001.
• The reduced incidence was sustained from 2001 through 2005, with rates ranging from 0.19 to 0.35.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to infection control is effective in reducing MRSA.
• Sustained implementation of screening, education, and environmental hygiene is crucial for long-term MRSA control.
• The program demonstrated significant success in lowering hospital-acquired MRSA rates.