Interventions to control MRSA: high time for time-series analysis?
Time-series methods are useful in quasi-experimental study designs in which rates of antibiotic-resistant infections are ascertained before and after an intervention. However, uncertainties remain regarding the use of time-series analysis as an appropriate research methodology for analysing the effect of infection control interventions and antibiotic policies on the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In particular, there is still a substantial gap in our understanding of what actually happens to MRSA incidence when a planned intervention is made on use of one or more antibiotic drug classes.
Infection Control Program, University of Geneva Hospitals and Medical School, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. stephan.harbarth@hcuge.ch
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents