Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus central line-associated bloodstream infections in US intensive care

Deron C Burton1, Jonathan R Edwards, Teresa C Horan

  • 1Surveillance Branch, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. dburton@cdc.gov

JAMA
|February 20, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) central line-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) decreased in most US intensive care units (ICUs) from 1997-2007. Monitoring only the percentage of MRSA BSIs may mask these important incidence trends.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Healthcare-associated infections, particularly MRSA, are a significant concern.
  • Mandatory screening and reporting are proposed to reduce MRSA infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in MRSA central line-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) within US intensive care units (ICUs).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized CDC data from 1997-2007 for 1684 ICUs.
  • Calculated pooled mean annual BSI incidence rates and percent MRSA.
  • Employed regression modeling to assess changes over time.

Main Results:

  • MRSA BSI incidence declined significantly in most ICU types between 2001-2007, with reductions up to 69.2%.
  • Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) BSI incidence also decreased across all ICU types.
  • Despite an overall increase in the proportion of S. aureus BSIs that were MRSA, the total MRSA BSI incidence decreased by 49.6%.

Conclusions:

  • MRSA central line-associated BSI incidence has been declining in most ICUs.
  • Monitoring only the percentage of MRSA among S. aureus BSIs may not accurately reflect incidence trends.

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