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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Implementation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention bundle results in decreased MRSA

Samir S Awad1, Carlos H Palacio, Anuradha Subramanian

  • 1Michael E DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, and Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. sawad@bcm.tmc.edu

American Journal of Surgery
|November 6, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bundle significantly reduced MRSA transmission and nosocomial infections. This intervention led to a notable decrease in MRSA surgical site infections (SSIs).

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Healthcare-Associated Infections
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant cause of patient morbidity and mortality.
  • Effective strategies are needed to control the spread and impact of MRSA in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of implementing a comprehensive MRSA bundle on SSI rates.
  • To assess the effectiveness of the MRSA bundle in reducing MRSA transmission and nosocomial infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from 2007-2008 on MRSA bundle implementation.
  • Inclusion of MRSA screenings, overall MRSA infections, and cardiac/orthopedic SSIs.
  • Statistical comparison using the chi-square test.

Main Results:

  • MRSA transmission decreased significantly from 5.8 to 3.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P < .05).
  • Overall MRSA nosocomial infections declined from 2.0 to 1.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P = .016).
  • A significant reduction in overall SSIs was observed, including a 65% decrease in orthopedic MRSA SSIs.

Conclusions:

  • Successful implementation of the MRSA bundle demonstrably decreases patient-to-patient MRSA transmission.
  • The MRSA bundle effectively reduces the overall incidence of nosocomial MRSA infections.
  • The intervention significantly lowers the occurrence of MRSA surgical site infections.

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