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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Financial implications of plans to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an orthopaedic
K Hassan1, C Koh, D Karunaratne
1Department of Orthopaedics, Rotherham General Hospital Foundation Trust, Rotherham, UK. kamranhasan_4@hotmail.com
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to calculate retrospectively the cost of MRSA infections in the elective and trauma orthopaedic population in Rotherham District General Hospital in a 3-month period during 2005.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 686 patients were admitted to the orthopaedic wards and the surgical wounds 10 patients became infected with MRSA.
Results:
The cost of these infections when extrapolated over 12 months was pound384,000 excluding staff costs.
Conclusions:
The key in the fight against MRSA in the hospital setting is multifactorial and requires a combination of measures. Our solution is: cohort nursing; non-selective screening of all admissions to the orthopaedic wards; use of a polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool; ring-fencing of beds; and separate wound dressing rooms for each ward. The total cost is projected to be pound301,000.
Insights
The estimated cost of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in orthopaedic patients was £384,000 annually. Implementing a multifactorial approach, including screening and cohort nursing, could reduce this cost to £301,000.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Infectious Disease Control
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Background:
- Retrospective cost analysis of MRSA infections.
- Focus on elective and trauma orthopaedic patients.
- Study conducted at Rotherham District General Hospital in 2005.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the financial burden of MRSA infections.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of proposed control measures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 686 orthopaedic admissions over 3 months.
- Identification of 10 patients with MRSA surgical wound infections.
- Extrapolation of costs over a 12-month period.
Main Results:
- MRSA infections incurred an estimated cost of £384,000 annually (excluding staff costs).
- Proposed interventions projected to cost £301,000.
Conclusions:
- MRSA control requires a multifaceted strategy.
- Recommended measures include cohort nursing, universal screening, PCR diagnostics, bed ring-fencing, and separate dressing rooms.
- The proposed solution offers a projected cost saving.
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