Jeanine Thomas, the founder of the MRSA Survivors Network, recently presented a webinar for RL on the state of MRSA surveillance in today's healthcare system. The MRSA Survivors Network is a global leader in the fight against MRSA, giving support to patients & families affected by MRSA and other healthcare-acquired infections, and raising awareness, educating and initiating groundbreaking legislation. Jeanine founded the organization in 2003 when she herself survived MRSA sepsis and complicating C. difficile.
MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph bacteria found in healthcare facilities and the community. It developed due to overuse of antibiotics, which lead to staph mutating to resistant strains.
Jeanine presented 4 tips to prevent the spread of MRSA at healthcare facilities:
- Conduct hand hygiene seminars & webinars using the WHO Hand Hygiene Guide
- Retrain for hand hygeine every 3 months
- Use the latest software for tracking MRSA in your facility
- Test surgical patients before surgery to see if they are colonized (a carrier) for MRSA
Preventing HAIs, like MRSA, is also financially beneficial for hospitals.
- In 2017, the federal government will penalize hospitals for patients who contract MRSA during their hospital stay. CMS’s current penalties are only for those in the lower quartile.
- MRSA costs an estimated $10 billion a year to treat, averaging $60,000 per patient.
Watch the on-demand webinar presentation to learn more
