title: Effects of selective patient screening for MRSA on overall MRSA hospital-acquired infection rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine if implementing a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) active surveillance program in the intensive care unit (ICU) only would affect hospitalwide transmission of MRSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-acquired MRSA rates were collected from January 2007 to December 2009. In July 2008, an active surveillance program was implemented in all ICU areas. The hospital-acquired MRSA rates were compared before and after the implementation of the screening program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ICU rate of hospital-acquired MRSA reduced from 3.19/1000 patient-days to 1.66/1000 patient-days (P .005). The facility's hospital-acquired MRSA rate was reduced from 0.80/1000 patient-days to 0.38/1000 patient-days (P .0003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementing an ICU-only active surveillance program is an effective method of controlling MRSA transmission on a hospitalwide level. Additional high-risk areas to consider include long-term acute care facilities, rehabilitation units, and patients with long-term indwelling medical devices.
authors.affiliation: Baptist Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78205, USA. sesimmon@baptisthealthsystem.com
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simmons
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008403:Mass Screening; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control