VA: MRSA Infection Rates on the Decline

HealthDay News—Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates decreased through September 2015 in Veterans Affairs facilities, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

Noting that decreases in MRSA health care-associated infections were reported in Veterans Affairs acute care in 2012, spinal cord injury units in 2011, and long-term care facilities in 2012 after implementation of a prevention initiative, Martin E. Evans, MD, from the Veterans Health Administration in Washington, DC, and colleagues evaluated monthly data entered into a national database from 127 acute care facilities, 22 spinal cord injury units, and 133 long-term care facilities to examine trends in infection rates.

The researchers found that in all 3 venues, admission nasal swabbing remained above 92%. During the analysis period, there were changes in admission prevalence, from 13.2% to 13.5% in acute care, from 35.1% to 32% in spinal cord injury units, and from 23.1% to 25% in long-term care facilities. There were significant decreases in monthly health care- associated infection rates (87%, 80.1%, 80.9%, and 49.4% in intensive care units [ICUs], non-ICUs, spinal cord injury units, and long-term care facilities, respectively). Nationwide there were 2 reports of MRSA health care-associated infections in ICUs, 20 in non-ICUs (3 in spinal cord injury units), and 31 in long-term care facilities during September 2015.

“MRSA health care-associated infection rates declined significantly in acute care, spinal cord injury units, and long-term care facilities over 8 years of the Veterans Affairs MRSA Prevention Initiative,” the authors write.

Reference

Evans ME, Kralovic SM, Simbartl LA, Jain R, Roselle GA. Eight years of decreased methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus health care association-infections associated with a Veterans Affairs prevention initiative. Am J Infect Control. 2017;45:13-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.08.010