Methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is reistant to methicillin and some other types of antibiotics. MRSA is becoming increasingly prevalent in the healthcare setting and hospitals are especially vigilant to prevent the spread of MRSA infections.
CHA has launched a MRSA Prevention project to help hospitals with their infection prevention efforts. The MRSA Prevention project was launched in February 2009.
MRSA/MDRO Tool Kit
Preventable healthcare-acquired infections that occur in hospitals result in needless harm to patients and family members. Preventing healthcare-associated infections has received heightened attention at both the state and nation level as more legislation and change in policy has resulted in mandatory public reporting of healthcare-associated infections and change in reimbursement if infections occur during the length of stay at a facility. Unfortunately, preventing healthcare-associated infections in the inpatient setting is a challenge. Often times, patients come into the facility colonized with certain types of infections and lower immunity can trigger an infection outbreak. Additionally, infection control has become an area that should encompass the participation of an entire team, not just a department as has been the traditional model in most hospitals.
The purpose of this tool kit is to provide Colorado hospitals with additional tools and resources for infection control and to build upon the work that has already been initiated in other patient safety improvement projects. Since methods for infection control are constantly evolving or there has not been enough research to conclusively state that one particular intervention is the “silver bullet”, this tool kit provides Colorado hospitals with the opportunity to review different infection control strategies and put processes into place based on what will work best for their organization and patient population.
Infection control is a responsibility that encompasses everyone from hospital leadership and environmental services to patients and the community. Infection control is a team effort and involves several players. This tool kit is structured on a team approach and is broken down into specific topic areas. This tool kit primarily focuses on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), however many of the interventions in this tool can be applicable to most hospital-acquired infections. This tool kit also addressed other multiple drug resistant organisms (MDROs) where infection control may require a specific individualized method for a particular organism.
MRSA/MDRO tool kits will be provided to all CHA member hospitals and health systems at no cost. In addition, MRSA/MDRO tool kits are available to non-members for a fee. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the MRSA/MDRO tool kit, please contact Crystal Berumen, CHA Director of Patient Safety Initiatives at 720.330.6067 or by email at .
Online MRSA Training Module:
There are four main sections to the online MRSA Training Module. The sections were developed using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The module can be used to educate both hospital staff and patients.
The MRSA Summit is an educational opportunity specifically focused on preventing the spread of MRSA in any healthcare setting. This program will provide attendees with the tools and resources to incorporate nationally recognized intervention and prevention guidelines and promote best practices to instill culture change within the organization.
Following participation in this educational opportunity, attendees will be able to:
Develop and present a business case for infection prevention and quality improvement
Understand the implications of community-acquired MRSA and the effect on the acute care setting
Learn effective surveillance models and innovative strategies to prevent the spread of MRSA
Understand how to collaborate in an effective manner to prevent infections
Make infection prevention an organizational priority
Engage physicians as infection prevention partners
This program is designed specifically for CEOs, Board Trustees, CMOs, CNOs, Quality Directors, Infection Control Practitioners, Risk Managers, Patient Safety Officers, and other interested clinicians and health professionals.
MRSA Summit: Preventing Hospital Infections - Reducing Risk. Protecting the Community Monday, February 16, 2009 Doubletree Denver Tech Hotel 7801 E. Orchard Road Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Quality/Patient Safety