Hospital MRSA Efforts Study

Introduction

Main Digest

Researchers from the Indiana University have identified common barriers and strategies for successfully implementing practice changes in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

The study, published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology , the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, reveals shared lessons learned from six ICUs as they implemented evidence-based practices to reduce Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.

"Our research found that while implementation plans should be locally-derived, reducing and preventing the spread of infections in ICUs entails overcoming common barriers," said Amber Welsh, PhD of the Indiana University Center for Health Services & Research Outcomes.

In 2006, five Indianapolis-area hospitals began a systematic implementation of practices known to reduce the spread of MRSA, including active surveillance, hand hygiene, patient isolation, and the use of protective equipment like gowns and gloves.

A group of researchers led by Dr. Brad Doebbeling then interviewed team members from each hospital to identify common themes of successful implementation shared by all hospitals.

The interviews produced five core themes common to all hospitals:

• Acquire support of top management.
• Engage front line staff in implementation.
• Build a multi-disciplinary implementation team.
• Use process mapping and other problem-solving tools.
• Commit to data collection, management, and feedback.

"The tendency for any organization unit is to say, 'We're different,' implying that change efforts must be tailor-made for each unique group or culture," Dr. Welsh said. "But our research shows that while units are unique, there are commonalities that can guide consideration and planning efforts to implement new practices. We hope that this study will help hospitals realize that change implementation is both a unique and universal activity."

Catherine Amber Welsh, Mindy E. Flanagan, Chris Kiess, and Bradley Doebbeling, "Implementing the MRSA Bundle in ICUs: One City-Wide Collaborative's Key Lessons Learned."Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 32:8

Published through a partnership between The Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America and The University of Chicago Press, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology provides original, peer-reviewed scientific articles for anyone involved with an infection control or epidemiology program in a hospital or healthcare facility. ICHE is ranked 15 out of 140 journals in its discipline in the latest Journal Citation Reports from Thomson Reuters.

SHEA is a professional society representing more than 1,900 physicians and other healthcare professionals around the world with expertise in healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention and control. SHEA's mission is to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections and advance the field of healthcare epidemiology. The society leads this field by promoting science and research and providing high-quality education and training in epidemiologic methods and prevention strategies. SHEA upholds the value and critical contributions of healthcare epidemiology to improving patient care and healthcare worker safety in all healthcare settings - www.shea-online.org

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