AHRQ toolkit aims to cut MRSA infections

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a toolkit to help hospitals cut methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections based upon a successful safety program that reduced hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infections by 65%. One-hundred and six intensive care units and 87 non-ICUs at 94 U.S. hospitals implemented the quality improvement program over 18 months. JAMA Network Open published results showing that a comprehensive approach to implementing existing infection prevention evidence into daily practice can significantly reduce infections among hospitalized patients. Participating units received education and implementation resources on hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, device-associated infection prevention and other infection prevention practices. Healthcare teams can use the AHRQ toolkit to build or strengthen their infection prevention programs, including selecting portions based on their individual unit needs. (Medical Xpress article, 9/14/26)