One in six patients in intensive care units are colonized or infected with MRSA, which signifies not only the prevalence of this health risk, but the impact on the nurses' workload. Antibiotic resistant MRSA increases mortality and postoperative stay; the number of death certificates mentioning MRSA increased by 19% between 2002 and 2003, and postoperative stays were a mean of 8.5 for those without MRSA, and 17.9 days for those with MRSA (Fairclough, 2006). Nurses are consequently attending to more patients for longer periods of time and are exposed to greater infectious risk. Hospital administrators must assess the burden on clinical and managerial staff, as well as the economic and financial implications of prolonged treatment for patients.

Reducing the incidence of MRSA requires a comprehensive approach to the infection as no single entity can eradicate the bacteria. Fairclough explains the most obvious and immediate measure that needs to be taken again MRSA and other bacterial infections is the practice of thorough cleanliness (2006). Hand washing and hand hygiene is critical, as MRSA can spread from contaminated surfaces, and hands are the most important vectors...

MRSA must also be promptly detected in patients, and then isolated from others. Rational antibiotic prescribing could be more effective for the prevention of future problems, as higher rates of antibiotic use increases the probability of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
The statistic explaining MRSA as responsible for one-fifth of hospital-acquired infections leads researchers and observers within the medical community to consider courses of action to reduce its morbidity and mortality rates. MRSA infections should be alarming to healthcare administrators as it lengthens patient hospital stays, intensifies nurses' workload, has economical repercussions, and affects the morbidity of MRSA in communities. As the incidence of MRSA continues to escalate, so does the prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains and the need to decrease the risk of infection. Reducing the risk of MRSA infection will take a combined effort involving more proficient cleaning practices, hand hygiene, detection and isolation, and using rational antibiotic prescription methods.

References

Fairclough, S. (2006). Why tackling MRSA needs…