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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 10, 2011
Should we vigorously try to contain and control methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?
1Department of Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02906.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Hospitals use varied methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control practices, but their efficacy is often unproven. Implementing MRSA controls is recommended when infections are frequent or prevalent.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Controlling MRSA transmission is crucial for patient safety and reducing healthcare-associated infections.
- Current practices for MRSA control vary widely among hospitals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current MRSA control practices in hospitals.
- To determine the frequency of use for various MRSA control measures.
- To discuss indications for implementing MRSA control strategies.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey distributed to members of the Society for Hospital Epidemiology of America, Inc. (SHEA).
- A literature review to assess the efficacy of different MRSA control practices.
- Survey data collected from 256 hospital-based SHEA members.
Main Results:
- Hospitals employ diverse combinations of MRSA surveillance and control measures.
- A small percentage (9%) of hospitals reported using no specific MRSA control measures.
- Controlled trials have not established the efficacy of many commonly used MRSA control practices.
Conclusions:
- Implementation of MRSA control measures is warranted for high-incidence infections and desirable for new introductions or high prevalence.
- While some practices are established, others, like MRSA carriage eradication, need further research.
- Evidence-based guidelines are needed to optimize MRSA control strategies in hospitals.
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