Clinical Review
An environment that promotes infection prevention and control as “everyone’s responsibility” is at the heart of a “striking” drop in rates of infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to VA. Between 2007 and 2012, health care-related MRSA infections dropped 72% among VA patients in intensive care units, from 1.64 to 0.46 per 1,000 patient days. Infection rates for patients in nonintensive care hospital units fell 66%, from 0.47 to 0.16 per 1,000 patient days.
Keeping MRSA rates down matters: A surveillance report from the CDC found 75,309 cases of invasive MRSA infections and 9,670 deaths due to MRSA in 2012. “Health care-associated infections are a major challenge throughout the health care industry,” said VA Interim Under Secretary for Health Dr. Carolyn Clancy, “but we have found in VA that consistently applying some simple preventive strategies can make a very big difference, and that difference is being recognized.”
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VA’s multifaceted prevention plan includes patient-screening programs for MRSA, contact precautions for hospitalized patients with MRSA, and hand hygiene reminders with readily available hand sanitizer stations placed strategically in common areas, patient wards, and specialty clinics throughout medical centers.
Having a dedicated employee at each medical center to monitor compliance with MRSA protection procedures, train staff, and work with patients and families helps reinforce the commitment to infection control and prevention; as do computerized reminders, online training, frequent measurement, and continual feedback to medical staff, according to VA.
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“VA has a well-earned reputation in successful prevention of MRSA,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “The drop in MRSA rates shows that we are pursuing the right course for prevention and treatment.”