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Effects of selective patient screening for MRSA on overall MRSA hospital-acquired infection rates
1Baptist Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78205, USA. sesimmon@baptisthealthsystem.com
Purpose:
Determine if implementing a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) active surveillance program in the intensive care unit (ICU) only would affect hospitalwide transmission of MRSA.
Methods:
Hospital-acquired MRSA rates were collected from January 2007 to December 2009. In July 2008, an active surveillance program was implemented in all ICU areas. The hospital-acquired MRSA rates were compared before and after the implementation of the screening program.
Results:
The ICU rate of hospital-acquired MRSA reduced from 3.19/1000 patient-days to 1.66/1000 patient-days (P .005). The facility's hospital-acquired MRSA rate was reduced from 0.80/1000 patient-days to 0.38/1000 patient-days (P .0003).
Conclusion:
Implementing an ICU-only active surveillance program is an effective method of controlling MRSA transmission on a hospitalwide level. Additional high-risk areas to consider include long-term acute care facilities, rehabilitation units, and patients with long-term indwelling medical devices.
Insights
Implementing an intensive care unit (ICU)-only active surveillance program significantly reduced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission hospitalwide. This targeted approach proved effective in controlling MRSA spread across the entire facility.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Disease Control
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Effective strategies are needed to curb hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an intensive care unit (ICU)-exclusive active surveillance program on hospital-wide MRSA transmission.
- To determine if a localized surveillance program can influence broader MRSA rates.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of HA-MRSA rates from January 2007 to December 2009.
- Implementation of an active surveillance program in all ICU areas in July 2008.
- Comparison of HA-MRSA rates before and after the surveillance program's initiation.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in ICU HA-MRSA rates from 3.19 to 1.66 per 1000 patient-days (P < .005).
- Overall hospital HA-MRSA rates decreased from 0.80 to 0.38 per 1000 patient-days (P < .0003).
Conclusions:
- An ICU-focused active surveillance program is a successful strategy for controlling MRSA transmission on a hospital-wide scale.
- Consideration of extending surveillance to other high-risk areas like long-term acute care and rehabilitation units is recommended.
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