The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announces a detailed strategy to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The initiative includes the launch of a national survey on this increasingly prevalent and virulent infection. APIC will conduct the 2006 MRSA Prevalence Study during the month of October to gather nationwide data on MRSA infections/colonizations in inpatients in U.S. healthcare facilities.Â
The announcement was made at Managing MRSA: A Call to Action, a three-day conference convened by APIC, Joint Commission Resources, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which is being held this week in Cambridge, Mass. The conference brings together leading scientific and clinical experts on MRSA to address current challenges and examine best practices to combat this threat to the health and well-being of patients worldwide.
The challenges we face from what some call the superbug warrant a comprehensive plan of attack, said APIC president Kathleen Meehan Arias, MS, CIC. This weeks conference and the survey in October will provide a valuable baseline on this issue. The information we collect will help us empower infection prevention and control professionals with the tools they need to fight MRSA in healthcare facilities throughout the United States and the world.
APIC will use this information to:
-- Introduce and sustain an ongoing public awareness campaign on eradicating MRSA
-- Provide ongoing education on strategies to control MRSA
-- Initiate a call to action to CEOs and chief medical officers at healthcare facilities to gain their commitmentÂ
Preventing the spread of MRSA will take a sustained effort on the part of the entire health care community, said APIC CEO Kathy L. Warye. We urge healthcare leaders CEOs, CFOs and CMOs to join with us to fight this increasingly virulent and costly health threat.
Source: APIC
Â
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.