RESUMO
In 2006, we began monitoring hand hygiene compliance by direct observation. In 2006, with no changes in the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control program, a 38% reduction of facility-acquired rates for this organism was realized. These results indicate that focused monitoring of hand hygiene can reduce facility-acquired rates of MRSA.
Assuntos
Infecção Hospitalar/prevenção & controle , Fidelidade a Diretrizes/estatística & dados numéricos , Desinfecção das Mãos , Controle de Infecções/métodos , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/isolamento & purificação , Infecções Estafilocócicas/prevenção & controle , Infecção Hospitalar/epidemiologia , Infecção Hospitalar/microbiologia , Feminino , Pesquisa sobre Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções Estafilocócicas/epidemiologia , Infecções Estafilocócicas/microbiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In January 2002, Infection control professionals for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System held a planning retreat focused on patient safety. The main challenge discussed was the control of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Rounds on the patient care units had revealed compliance issues with the current isolation procedures. The team developed a process improvement project coined the Effective Processes in Infection Control Project (EPIC). With a broad challenge of antibiotic resistance, the focus was narrowed to isolation precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS: The initial stage of the EPIC project was education, followed by routine unit rounds to monitor compliance. A tool was developed to provide immediate feedback for the nursing units. Summary reports were generated for clinical directors as a method of accountability for unit leadership. Rates for facility-acquired MRSA were monitored and compared with MRSA days at risk. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period of increased accountability, the facility-acquired rate of MRSA decreased by 30%, even though the days at risk increased. The decrease was maintained during year 2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this project point to the importance of accountability with isolation precautions in the effort to combat the spread of MRSA in the hospital setting.