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StaphAseptic™ News
MRSA multiplies. Calif. sees cases skyrocket outside healthcare settings
December 14, 2009
Modern Healthcare
By Rebecca Vesely
Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, or MRSA, is on the rise, and a new report on California hospitals indicates the largest jumps over the past decade are among children and infections acquired outside of healthcare settings.
The state of California released a report last week on the growing problem of MRSA, based on patient discharge data provided by hospitals statewide from 1999 to 2007.
MRSA cases increased more than fourfold over the eight-year period, and the increase was primarily attributed to cases among those 18 to 64 years old admitted from home with skin infections.
However, an astounding 1,663% increase occurred among children under age 18. In 1999, hospitals reported 188 cases of MRSA among children. In 2007, 3,315 cases were reported.
Meanwhile, the number of cases admitted from home also rose substantially. In 1999, hospitals reported 7,231 MRSA cases admitted from the home. But in 2007, that figure grew by 438% to 38,864 cases admitted from the home to California hospitals. The report indicated a higher rate of MRSA in California than the national average.
The report backs up recent studies on the rise of community-acquired MRSA nationwide. Total hospital admissions for patients with skin and soft-tissue infections rose 29% from 2000 to 2004, according to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in August. The greatest increase in infection admissions were among patients under age 65 in urban areas. Community-acquired MRSA increased 33% in outpatient settings from 1996 to 2006, according to research published by the CDC in early December.
This is a portion of the original article. To keep reading visit ModernHealthcare.com
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