Hand hygiene and designating a new MRSA Prevention Coordinator at each facility were included in the national initiative at VA long-term care facilities.

'Simple' Strategies Cut VA MRSA Infection Rates

A national campaign started in 133 VA long-term care facilities four years ago reduced them by 36 percent, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

  • Jan 10, 2014

A national initiative started in 2009 at 133 Veterans Affairs long-term care facilities managed to reduce the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rates in those facilities by 36 percent, according to a study published in the January 2014 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, which is the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

APIC reported that the MRSA Prevention Initiative reduced MRSA infections from .25 to .16 per 1,000 resident days even though admissions with MRSA colonization increased.

Its news release about the study reports that the initiative uses a bundled approach, one that includes screening every patient for MRSA, using gowns and gloves when caring for patients colonized or infected with MRSA, hand hygiene, and an institutional culture change that focused on individual responsibility for infection control. It also created a new position -- MRSA Prevention Coordinator -- at each facility.

This initiative already had been shown to work well in acute-care hospitals, according to APIC.

"We previously reported that a MRSA Prevention Initiative was associated with significant decreases in MRSA HAIs in acute care facilities over a 33-month period in a large healthcare system. Here we show that the initiative was also associated with decreased rates of MRSA HAIs in VA community living centers (CLCs) without a corresponding decrease in MRSA admission prevalence," the authors wrote. "To our knowledge, declines in MRSA HAIs such as this have not been reported in other large long-term care settings. Our experience suggests that adherence to a simple bundle of infection prevention and control strategies may be of value in controlling MRSA HAIs in CLCs, especially if the program is implemented widely throughout the network of healthcare venues in which an individual may seek care."

Product Showcase

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm Read More

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence