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Decreasing healthcare-associated infections (HAI) is an efficient method to decrease healthcare-associated

Petra Gastmeier1, Frank Schwab, Michael Behnke

  • 1Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203 Berlin, Germany. Petra.Gastmeier@charite.de.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
|September 11, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nosocomial Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in intensive care units (ICUs) significantly decreased from 2001 to 2010. Focusing on healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) control is more effective than MRSA-specific measures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Analysis of German intensive care unit (ICU) data from the national nosocomial infection surveillance system (KISS) over ten years.
  • Observed a rise in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates from 2001-2005, followed by a slight decrease from 2006-2010.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the trend in incidence density of nosocomial MRSA infections.
  • To determine the crucial patient outcome indicator for MRSA infections.

Main Methods:

  • Inclusion of data from 103 ICUs with continuous participation.
  • Statistical analysis of incidence density of MRSA infections and healthcare-associated infections (HCAI).

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in the pooled incidence density of nosocomial MRSA infections from 0.37 to 0.15 per 1000 patient days (2001-2010).
  • This reduction was proportional to a significant decrease in all healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) during the same period.

Conclusions:

  • Emphasizes the importance of general HCAI control measures over MRSA-specific prevention.
  • Suggests that MRSA rates (proportions) are not the most useful indicator for assessing the infection control situation.

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