Implementation of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention bundle results in decreased MRSA surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical site infections (SSIs) increase morbidity and mortality. We examined the impact of the MRSA bundle on SSIs. METHODS Data regarding the implementation of the MRSA bundle from 2007 to 2008 were obtained, including admission and discharge MRSA screenings, overall MRSA infections, and cardiac and orthopedic SSIs. Chi-square was used for all comparisons. RESULTS A significant decrease in MRSA transmission from a 5.8 to 3.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P < .05) was found after implementation of the MRSA bundle. Overall MRSA nosocomial infections decreased from 2.0 to 1.0 per 1,000 bed-days (P = .016). There was a statistically significant decrease in overall SSIs (P < .05), with a 65% decrease in orthopaedic MRSA SSIs and 1% decrease in cardiac MRSA SSIs. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that successful implementation of the MRSA bundle significantly decreases MRSA transmission between patients, the overall number of nosocomial MRSA infections, and MRSA SSIs.