A survey of MRSA colonization at 590 healthcare facilities revealed an increased prevalence of the multidrug-resistant organism, though researchers say the increase may be attributed to increasingly active surveillance, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
For their study, researchers distributed a survey to members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Members at 590 healthcare facilities returned the surveys, which revealed the following key points:
• Members reported 4,476 MRSA-colonized/infected patients between August 2010 through December 2010, indicating an overall MRSA prevalence rate of 66.4 per 1,000 inpatients.
• A majority (75.7 percent) of respondents conducted active surveillance testing for MRSA.
• Most MRSA-colonized/infected patients were detected within 48 hours of admission, with the most common site of infection being skin and soft tissue.
The researchers noted although MRSA prevalence since 2006 has increased, more healthcare facilities are performance active surveillance and rates of healthcare-associated MRSA have decreased.
For their study, researchers distributed a survey to members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Members at 590 healthcare facilities returned the surveys, which revealed the following key points:
• Members reported 4,476 MRSA-colonized/infected patients between August 2010 through December 2010, indicating an overall MRSA prevalence rate of 66.4 per 1,000 inpatients.
• A majority (75.7 percent) of respondents conducted active surveillance testing for MRSA.
• Most MRSA-colonized/infected patients were detected within 48 hours of admission, with the most common site of infection being skin and soft tissue.
The researchers noted although MRSA prevalence since 2006 has increased, more healthcare facilities are performance active surveillance and rates of healthcare-associated MRSA have decreased.
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