Fighting MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased 10 fold between 1995 and 2005. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 94,000 people developed a serious MRSA infection in 2005 and approximately 18,650 people died during a hospital stay as a result.

Patients with MRSA are four times as likely to die as those with a non-resistant staph infection. The highest rate of MRSA hospitalization was among the elderly – 360.8 MRSA stays per 100,000 - three times higher than for any other age group.

Primaris is working with select hospitals to deal appropriately with MRSA. Primaris will utilize strategies that align with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Guide to eliminate MRSA infection in the hospital setting. Key strategy for implementation will follow the TeamSTEPPS approach.

Currently our best defense against MRSA includes:

• MRSA risk assessment
• Surveillance methodology
• Hand hygiene
• Contact precautions; and
• Environmental and equipment decontamination.

 

Primaris has free quality improvement resources for this topic.

	Strive for Five! Hand Hygiene Toolkit Publication #: MO-10-03-MRSA This hand hygiene toolkit encompasses a collection of resources that may assist your hospital with increasing hand hygiene compliance rates. “Strive for Five” incorporates the World Health Organization’s idea that there are five key moments for hand hygiene. These moments, along with other resources, are organized in this toolkit into resources for healthcare workers, patient education, and hospital awareness sections. Strive for Five Toolkit.pdf CD Materials.zip
	Resource Materials > Clinical Education Useful Resources (MRSA) Publication #: MO-08-04-MRSA This guide to existing MRSA resources includes hyperlinks to locations where you can find more information. MRSA useful resources.pdf
	Resource Materials > Clinical Education Change Strategies for MRSA Publication #: MO-08-05-MRSA This document includes change strategies proven to be effective in reducing health associated MRSA infections. MRSA change strategies .pdf
	Resource Materials > Clinical Education Information About MRSA Skin Infections. Chances Are, You’ll Need It This brochure developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on the recognition, management, and prevention of MRSA skin infections. It also includes a clear and easy to follow treatment algorithm that can be shared with healthcare professionals as well as patients. MRSA_ProviderBrochureFromCDC.pdf
	Resource Materials > Clinical Education Patient Safety QIOSC webinar: MRSA Reduction Dr. Alfonso Torress-Cook, Director of Epidemiology at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach discusses how he implemented strategies to eliminate MRSA infections and reduce other pathogens. His hospital system achieved a 99% reduction in MRSA from 108 cases to less than 5 in 2009, which is well below the CDC's recognized average rate of 0.6% per 1000 discharges. By focusing more on patient hygiene, environmental cleaning, hand washing, and stricter infection control standards, Dr. Torress-Cook helped drastically reduce MRSA. This webinar showcases his strategies for a MRSA reduction program. Note: "F-OKSAFETY021710.wrf" is a Webex Presentation file. You may download it to your computer by clicking the link below, or you may view it in your browser by clicking here. "Handouts and Documents.zip" is a ZIP file which you will need to unzip in order to view the contents. F-OKSAFETY021710.wrf Handouts and Follow-Up Documents.zip
	Resource Materials > Patient Education MRSA Frequently Asked Questions Publication #: MO-08-03-MRSA Use this flyer to address the most frequently asked questions regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA FAQ.pdf

Contact a Primaris regional representative for more information:

Dana Lammert, MA Eastern Missouri Program Manager (800) 735-6776 ext. 210 dlammert@primaris.org

Bob White, BA, PT Western Missouri Program Manager (800) 735-6776 ext. 212 rwhite@primaris.org