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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
MRSA infections in smaller hospitals, Victoria, Australia
Noleen J Bennett1, Ann L Bull, David R Dunt
1Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Noleen.Bennett@mh.org.au
Background:
Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause significant morbidity, mortality, and associated costs.
Methods:
Trained infection control (IC) nurses in 84 smaller (<100 acute beds) hospitals during a 20-month period collected data on MRSA infections.
Results:
The aggregate rate for all MRSA infections confirmed by the Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre IC nurse was 1.5 per 10,000 acute care occupied bed days (OBDs) (95% CI: 1.2-1.8). MRSA infections of 0.5 per 10,000 OBDs were detected >48 hours after admission (95% CI: 0.3-0.7). The aggregate rate for MRSA infections in sterile sites was 0.2 per 10,000 OBDs (95% CI: 0.0-0.4) and in nonsterile sites was 1.3 per 10,000 OBDs (95% CI: 1.0-1.6).
Conclusion:
The results suggested that serious MRSA infections in Victoria's smaller hospitals are an infrequent event. Most are "inherited" either from the community or other health care facilities.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are infrequent in smaller Victorian hospitals. Most cases originate from the community or other healthcare facilities, indicating a need for broader infection control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections present significant challenges in healthcare settings, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs.
- Effective surveillance and control of MRSA are crucial for patient safety and resource management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of MRSA infections in smaller hospitals (<100 acute beds) in Victoria.
- To characterize the sources and locations of MRSA infections within these facilities.
Main Methods:
- Data on MRSA infections were collected by trained infection control (IC) nurses over 20 months in 84 smaller hospitals.
- Infections were confirmed by the Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre.
Main Results:
- The overall MRSA infection rate was 1.5 per 10,000 occupied bed days (OBDs).
- Infections acquired >48 hours after admission occurred at a rate of 0.5 per 10,000 OBDs.
- MRSA infections in sterile sites were 0.2 per 10,000 OBDs, while non-sterile site infections were 1.3 per 10,000 OBDs.
Conclusions:
- Serious MRSA infections are infrequent events in smaller Victorian hospitals.
- The majority of MRSA infections were attributed to community or other healthcare facility acquisition.
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