MRSA Prevention
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that has become resistant to many commonly used antibiotics. While it is a treatable infection, it is a significant public health issue.
S. aureus (often referred to as "staph") is a common type of bacteria that normally lives on the skin or in the nasal passages of healthy people. Certain strains of the bacteria that resist the usual antibiotics given to fight staph infections are called MRSA.
An infection can occur when these bacteria get inside the body through a cut, sore, catheter or breathing tube. Such infections range from minor—such as a pimple—to serious, involving the heart, lungs, bloodstream or bones.
A person who is already ill is at greater risk of getting a staph infection than a healthy person. This is particularly true of people who are sick enough to be admitted to a hospital.
At Cedars-Sinai, measures are in place throughout the medical center to prevent the spread of MRSA. These measures include:
- Hand washing by doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers before entering and upon leaving a patient's room and before examining a patient
- Encouraging visitors of patients to wash their hands frequently
- Covering all wounds with clean bandages and preventing contact with soiled ones
- Proper handling of personal items such as bedding, towels and other items to prevent the spread of infection
- Proper cleaning of equipment or use of disposable items
As part of Cedars-Sinai's commitment to improving the quality of care given to patients, the rate of MRSA infections is monitored carefully.
California hospitals are required to report these infections to the California Department of Public Health and the National Healthcare Safety Network, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The California department is required to adjust the data for risk factors according to the federal network's protocols. The risk-adjustment methodology uses national data to compare the actual number of infections to the expected number, based on the age and health of the surgery patients.
The chart below shows the rate of MRSA infections that occurred in patients at Cedars-Sinai vs. the expected number.
What Is the Standardized Infection Ratio?
The standardized infection ratio is a summary measure used to track infections at a national, state or local level over time. The ratio compares the actual number of infections reported to a predicted number, adjusting for risk factors significantly associated with differences in infection incidence. A lower number is better.
Have Questions or Need Help?
If you have questions or wish to learn more about quality measures at Cedars-Sinai, please send us a message.