MRSA more prevalent.

A nationwide study conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) finds that Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is far more prevalent than previous estimates. MRSA, a multidrug-resistant organism, appears in 46 of every 1,000 patients. Infection control personnel from 21 percent of the nation's healthcare facilities in all 50 states were study participants with the comprehensive study looking at every type and size of facility and patient. The survey further found that 77 percent of MRSA patients were identified in the first 48 hours of admission, suggesting that 35 of the average 46 MRSA patients acquired the organism in previous stays, other facilities or in the community. While barrier precautions such as gloves and gowns, hand hygiene and isolation is practiced, 81 percent of study patients were not identified until signs and symptoms became evident. According to the study, this points to the strong possibility of patient-to-healthcare worker transmission before identification of the organism's presence.