Parkland takes lead in reducing MRSA.

Earlier last year, Parkland Medical Center in Derry launched an aggressive campaign to eradicate methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, which accounts for many avoidable infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infections and surgical site infections.

Karen Cozzens, a registered nurse and infection control director at Parkland, was recently recognized by the Institute for Health Improvement for her initiatives in helping reduce MRSA, which accounts for more than 60 percent of staph infections.

"Proper hand hygiene is the most effective means of reducing hospital-acquired infections." said Cozzens. "At Parkland, we have taken a very aggressive approach in identifying patients with MRSA and placing diem on isolation precautions to prevent the transmission of this potentially harmful organism."

Cozzens has implemented inpatient and outpatient measures throughout the hospital that include flagging the MRSA history of a patient in the computer system and color-coding patient wrist bands to identify needed precautions. If patients are flagged, Cozzens' extension is available at all hours for staff to contact her with any questions.

Cozzens said information is distributed to the medical staff and she conducts training to keep hospital staff updated with current infection control recommendations.

To ensure proper infection control precautions are being taken, Cozzens works closely with environmental service personnel, support staff, nurses and physicians.

"Nurses use critical thinking to decide whether to place someone on precautions while awaiting culture results. Along with nurses, the environmental services staff is very knowledgeable and plays an important role in helping to reduce MRSA. It's rewarding to have staff like this, and if something doesn't look right like a missing isolation sign, they don't hesitate to call me."

The Advisory Board, a Washington, D.C.-based group composed of 900 researchers, terrain-based experts, hospital administrators, clinicians and consultants, will be highlighting Cozzens' experience in an upcoming teleconference on hospital-acquired infections.

"We're always looking to improve infection prevention and control and take necessary next steps to reduce MRSA," said Cozzens. "We have recently begun to focus more on visitors to ensure they take proper measures when it comes to infection control. It's all about the safety of patients and educating our staff and visitors about the importance of ways we can all help reduce hospital-acquired infections."