Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in US Intensive Care Units, 1997-2007

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of potentially serious and costly health care–associated infections presenting frequently in hospitals as central line–associated bloodstream infections (BSIs).¹ The emergence of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) as a prominent pathogen in health care settings has drawn the attention of clinicians, public health agencies, policy makers, and the public.^2-7 Spurred in part by the perception that the prevention practices currently in use in US hospitals are not effectively controlling health care–associated MRSA infections, several state legislatures recently have considered or passed laws to mandate MRSA prevention activities in health care settings, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).^8,9