Stop SSIs in their tracks
Diane Gulczynski MS, RN, CNOR
Maureen Spencer MEd, RN

$1.99 		OR Nurse 2013
March 2010 
Volume 4  Number 2
Pages 38 - 42
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Asymptomatic colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is a risk factor for surgical site infections (SSIs). Identifying S. aureus colonization during the presurgical screening process is important to help reduce infections. In this article, the authors document the effectiveness of preoperative surveillance and topical decolonization in reducing SSI rates.MRSA and MSSA are isolates of S. aureus. MRSA is classified as either healthcare-acquired (HA-MRSA) or community-acquired (CA-MRSA). MRSA is characterized by acquired genes with encoded antibiotic resistance to penicillin, including methicillin and other narrow-spectrum beta-lactamase-resistant penicillin antibiotics.1 MRSA in healthcare settings commonly causes serious and potentially life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and SSIs. It occurs most frequently in patients undergoing surgical procedures, patients with weakened immune systems, and those undergoing invasive medical procedures. Patients who are carriers of MRSA are at higher risk for infections after surgery than those who don't carry this organism.2,3Worldwide, an estimated 2 billion people carry some form of S. aureus; of these, up to 53 million (approximately 2.7% of carriers) are thought to carry MRSA.4 In the United States, 95 million people carry S. aureus in their noses; of these, 2.5 million (2.6%) carry MRSA.4 Most CA-MRSA isolates are associated with clinically relevant infections, and 23% of patients require hospitalization.5In the United States, increased outbreaks of CA-MRSA colonization and infection via skin contact in locker rooms and gymnasiums, even among healthy populations, have been reported.6 A 2007 study found that 4.6% of patients in U.S. healthcare facilities were infected or colonized with MRSA.7S. aureus becomes methicillin resistant by acquiring a mecA gene.8 Recent outbreaks of CA-MRSA appear

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