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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

The National Patient Safety Initiative (NPSI) under the 9th Scope of Work requires FMQAI to work with select hospitals on treatment and prevention of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for Medicare beneficiaries in the State of Florida.

The Staphylococcus bacteria are commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Twenty five to thirty percent of the population has this bacteria present on them (colonized) without causing an infection. MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics and can cause serious infections in certain populations. Over use of antibiotics and poor hand hygiene contribute to the increase of MRSA infections. MRSA can be spread by touching the infected skin or wound of someone who has MRSA, or by sharing objects such as towels or athletic equipment with someone who has MRSA.

Sometimes people get these infections in health care settings such as hospitals or nursing homes. The most at risk people for MRSA are those who live in close quarters, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems and any patient with a device such as a hip implant or long term ventilator usage.

The human and financial impact of MRSA is very high. MRSA infections remain a major cause of morbidity, mortality and increased health care costs. Fortunately, aggressive actions by health care providers have proven to reduce MRSA thereby decreasing mortality and cost. FMQAI will assist select hospitals by identifying gaps in delivery systems through established quality improvement methodologies in order to decrease MRSA in these vulnerable populations.
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