Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
The incidence of Methicillin-associated staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infections continues to create a significant
challenge for healthcare facilities worldwide. According to the
CDC, MRSA now accounts for greater than 50% of hospital-acquired
Staphylococcus aureus infections. Similar increases in
VRE have been reported as well.
In an effort to create a nationwide commitment to the elimination of
MRSA transmission, APIC has launched and continues to build a
comprehensive program to aid its members in overcoming barriers to the
elimination of this deadly organism.
Initiatives
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"Managing MRSA: A Call to Action" Conference
- held in Cambridge, MA, in August 2006, APIC, Joint Commission
Resources and The Joint Commission brought together leading scientific
and clinical experts on MRSA to address current challenges and examine
best practices to combat this threat to the health and well-being of
patients throughout the world. Click here to access the press release.
The conference was just one component of an arsenal APIC put together in
an attempt to fight this deadly disease.
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MRSA Prevalence Study – APIC launched a
first-of-its-kind US study in 2006 to determine MRSA prevalence in US
hospitals and establish a baseline for monitoring success in reducing
its prevalence. Click here to access the press
release.
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"MRSA Grand Rounds on The Elimination of MRSA
Transmission" - In December 2006 APIC launched and
continues to offer a series of 2-hour programs, featuring
nationally-recognized physicians and infection prevention professionals,
to discuss the clinical and financial consequences of MRSA and highlight
successful, systems-wide approaches that have effectively combated
MRSA. Grand
Rounds coming to a location near you.
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MRSA Webinar Series – On March 7, 2007 APIC
concluded a series of six 1-hour Webinars on the elimination of MRSA
transmission. This series will be available on CD in April, and
complements the newly-released work of the APIC MRSA Task
Force.
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"Guide to the Elimination of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus", created by the MRSA Task Force
and released on March 14, 2007, provides infection prevention and
control professionals with a step-by-step approach to battle MRSA
transmission. A range of approaches has been included to make the guide
appropriate for any size or type of facility. The guide is now
available in our bookstore. Available free to APIC members. Click here to download (login required).
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Interactive State Map to track the progress of
state and federal legislation related to the field of
healthcare-associated infections, including mandatory reporting and
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Click here to access interactive state map.
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