Incidence and Relationship of Positive Preoperative Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Screens and Post-operative Infections (MRSA)

Incidence and Relationship of Positive Preoperative Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Screens and Post-operative Infections

Evaluation of the Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization in Pre-Surgical Patients and Post-Operative Infection

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of pre-surgical patients who are MRSA carriers. From an evidence-based practice perspective, findings from this study can be considered in the evaluation of the hospital SOP mandating pre-surgical MRSA screening requirements for patients with scheduled surgeries. The central hypothesis to be addressed in this study is whether the MRSA colonization and subsequent post-operative infection are the equivalent in these populations.

Design and Methods: Subjects in this study of 975 pre-operative, scheduled surgical patients are in one of the three following groups: Group 1 (N=325): Allocation sample of surgical patients required to be MRSA screened per hospital SOP (including patients having a positive MRSA history, orthopedic surgery, undergoing dialysis, or transfer from another hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or jail). Group 2 (N=650): Randomized sample (1:1 ratio) of surgical patients not required to be MRSA screened per hospital SOP, to one of the following two groups: 2a (N=325): MRSA screening; or 2b (N=325): No MRSA screening. All subjects were followed for 30 days post-operatively to determine the incidence of post-operative infection. Treatment, diagnostic, and hospitalization data were collected for patients diagnosed with post-operative infection.

Preoperative screening, MRSA, Incidence, Postoperative infection, Preoperative MRSA Screening Incidence, Postoperative MRSA Infection Rate

The primary objective of this study is to compare the prevalence of MRSA colonization and its relationship to post-operative infection in patients who are currently pre-operatively MRSA screened per SOP to those who are not.

The secondary objective is to compare medical charges associated with diagnosis and treatment of post-operative infections for these groups using cost-effectiveness analysis.

Inclusion Criteria: Pre-surgical out patient at ILH Surgical procedure scheduled at least 2 days before surgery Surgery being done at ILH operating room Provision of signed ICF Exclusion Criteria: Patient 18 years of age or older who is deemed by the hospital incapable of providing Informed Consent Inability to communicate in the English language