Results Vary for MRSA-Reduction Efforts

Reducing MRSA infections in hospitals is a difficult problem with no clear solution, new research suggests. The two studies looked at programs to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in hospitals. One succeeded, and the other did not. A national program at VA hospitals included testing of all patients for MRSA when admitted. Precautions such as gloves and gowns were used in caring for anyone with the bacteria. Staff members were told that preventing MRSA was everyone’s job. More than 2½ years later, MRSA infections in the intensive care unit had dropped 62%. The other study was done at 18 hospitals. At 10 of them, all new patients were tested. Precautions were used with those who were infected. Nothing changed at the other 8 hospitals. After 6 months, the MRSA rate was the same in both groups of hospitals.