Reduction In MRSA Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections In The ICU: Good Progress, But Continued Efforts Are Imperative

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 25 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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The following statement is attributable to Kathy Warye, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC):

"An article appearing in the February 18, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, Vol 301, No. 7) reports that the rates of MRSA central line-associated blood stream infections in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients decreased by nearly 50 percent from 1997 to 2007. The report, authored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), examined data from nearly 600 U.S. facilities and showed declines in rates of these MRSA infections in almost all types of ICU patients within the CDC's data collection system.

"This is encouraging news for patients and the healthcare community. While central line-associated blood stream infections caused by MRSA represent only a small fraction of the overall number of MRSA infections, this analysis demonstrates that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can be prevented in a very vulnerable group of patients when institutions consistently implement evidence-based prevention strategies. Now it's time for healthcare leaders to turn their attention to the 67 percent of MRSA that occurs outside the ICU - on floors where people are being treated for general medical conditions like diabetes, pulmonary and cardiac problems.

"For reductions in HAIs to be sustained, adequate resources for the infection prevention profession must be deployed. Despite the current economic stress, now is not the time to ease up on efforts to prevent infections. APIC's 2008 MRSA Pace of Progress report revealed that while three-quarters of hospitals have increased efforts to control the spread of MRSA, more than half say they could and should be doing more. Prevention of HAIs requires consistent application of proven measures throughout the healthcare system and the commitment and active engagement of hospital leadership so that infection prevention becomes a part of everyone's job.

"More research is also needed to determine if approaches that are successful in the ICU can be replicated elsewhere in the hospital where the majority of MRSA resides. Hospitals that are successful in reducing HAIs are using a multi-faceted approach, employing a group of interventions to address MRSA and other dangerous pathogens. Staff education, more aggressive hand hygiene programs, stricter use of contact precautions (e.g., gloves and gowns), more emphasis on environmental cleaning and targeted screening are examples. APIC offers a host of resources to help providers stay current in this dynamic field, including conferences, webinars, and elimination guides. APIC's evidence-based elimination guides translate CDC guidelines into practice.

"While not all infections are preventable, working toward zero should be the goal. APIC urges all healthcare institutions to pursue zero HAIs and address the resources, systems and cultural changes that will support this effort."

APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The association's 12,000 members direct infection prevention programs that save lives and improve the bottom line for hospitals and other healthcare facilities around the globe. To promote a culture within healthcare where targeting zero healthcare-associated infections is fully embraced, APIC has created the Targeting Zero initiative to accelerate both learning and delivery of practical tools for infection preventionists. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy and credentialing.

APIC

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