title: Hand-to-hand combat: Preventing MRSA infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide practitioners with a general overview of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and their diagnoses and treatment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in preventing, diagnosing, and treating MRSA infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After reading this article and taking the test, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss the microbiology, demographics, and epidemiology of CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA. 2. Explain the diagnosis, treatment, and preventative care associated with MRSA infections.
authors.affiliation: National Health Service Corps, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dana V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treston
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003663:Decision Trees; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus