Prevention
Prevention of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Transmission
Basic practices for prevention and monitoring of MRSA
transmission*
ÎÎComponents of a MRSA transmission prevention program
>> Conduct a MRSA risk assessment (B-III).
>> Implement a MRSA monitoring program (A-III).
>> Promote compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or
World Health Organization hand hygiene recommendations (A-II).
>> Use contact precautions for MRSA-colonized or -infected patients (A-II).
>> Ensure cleaning and disinfection of equipment and the environment (B-III).
>> Educate healthcare personnel about MRSA, including risk factors, routes of
transmission, outcomes associated with infection, prevention measures, and local
epidemiology (B-III).
>> Implement a laboratory-based alert system that immediately notifies infection
prevention and control and clinical personnel of new MRSA-colonized or -infected
patients (B-III).
>> Implement an alert system that identifies readmitted or transferred MRSA-colonized
or -infected patients (B-III).
>> Provide MRSA data and other outcome measures to key stakeholders, including senior
leadership, physicians, and nursing staff (B-III).
>> Educate patients and their families about MRSA, as appropriate (B-III).
Special approaches for the prevention of MRSA transmission**
ÎÎActive surveillance testing: MRSA screening program for patients
>> Implement a MRSA active surveillance testing program as part of a multifaceted
strategy to control and prevent MRSA transmission when evidence suggests ongoing
transmission despite implementation of basic practices (B-II).
ÎÎActive surveillance testing for MRSA among healthcare personnel
>> Screen healthcare personnel for MRSA infection or colonization only if they are
epidemiologically linked to a cluster of MRSA infections (B-III).
ÎÎRoutine bathing with chlorhexidine
>> Routinely bathe adult ICU patients with chlorhexidine (B-III).
ÎÎMRSA decolonization therapy for MRSA-colonized persons
>> Provide decolonization therapy to MRSA-colonized patients in conjunction with an
active surveillance testing program (B-III).
Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
Basic practices for prevention and monitoring of CDI*
ÎÎUse contact precautions for infected patients, with a single-patient room
preferred (A-II for hand hygiene, A-I for gloves, B-III for gowns, and B-III
for single-patient room).
