APIC Study Finds MRSA Rates Eight Times Higher than Estimated
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) has released its "Pace of Progress" survey data today during its 35th Annual Educational Conference and International Meeting.
The survey is the result of a national online poll of infection prevention and control professionals that was conducted to determine whether news about escalating rates of MRSA has led to increased efforts to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Among its findings, the study revealed that MRSA rates are eight times higher than previously estimated. In 1972, MRSA accounted for only two percent of all Staphylococcus aureus HAIs reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, MRSA accounts for more than 60 percent of Staphylococcus aureus infections. Also, APIC reports, the MRSA death rate has been estimated to be more than 2.5 times higher than infections from Staphylococcus aureus that are susceptible to methicillin.
For study results, go to www.apic.org.