Universal Surveillance for MRSA — Does It Help?

Surveillance involving all admitted patients, and the infection-control measures thus triggered, significantly decreased MRSA infection rates during hospitalization and for 30 days after discharge.

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are on the rise, and pressure is increasing from governmental agencies and the public to implement programs to prevent hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) disease. Active surveillance for MRSA carriage in hospitalized patients has been recommended as one strategy, but the success and cost-effectiveness of this approach are controversial. Now, in a multiphase study, researchers in Illinois have examined the effect of expanded surveillance on the incidence of HA-MRSA infections in a three-hospital healthcare system with 40,000 annual admissions. Several of the researchers have ties to companies that make rapid MRSA detection tests.

During the baseline phase (12 months), rou…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter