MRSA Infection Risks After Hospital Discharge
Author Information
Author(s): Huang Susan S., Hinrichsen Virginia L., Datta Rupak, Spurchise Laura, Miroshnik Irina, Nelson Kimberly, Platt Richard
Primary Institution: University of California Irvine
Hypothesis
What is the risk of subsequent MRSA infection, hospitalization, and death among high-risk inpatients newly-detected to harbor MRSA?
Conclusion
Newly-detected MRSA carriage significantly increases the risk of infection and mortality in high-risk patients during the year following detection.
Supporting Evidence
- 33% of patients developed subsequent MRSA infections in the year following detection.
- 18% of infections associated with readmission occurred in hospitals other than the one where MRSA was newly-detected.
- Over half of MRSA infections in the year following detection occurred post-discharge.
Takeaway
If someone gets a type of bacteria called MRSA while in the hospital, they can get really sick again after they go home, even if they feel better.
Methodology
A retrospective cohort study of adult patients insured by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care who were newly-detected to harbor MRSA.
Potential Biases
The study may underestimate infection risk since it only includes hospitalized patients and does not account for community-associated MRSA strains.
Limitations
The study is generalizable only to high-risk MRSA carriers and does not assess outpatient MRSA infections.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of patients was 62 years, with 57% male and a high prevalence of comorbidities such as heart disease and diabetes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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