Abstract
Portugal has one of the highest MRSA infection and colonization rates in Europe, so it becomes critical to identify MRSA colonized patients at hospital admission on the Emergency Room (ER), before placement into wards, preventing the mixing of colonized patients with non-colonized ones. Infection Control and Antibiotics Committee (ICAC) developed an Electronic Epidemiological Query at Admission (EEQA) to be answered at patient admission. One of the questions targets MRSA colonization risk.
Highlights
Portugal has one of the highest MRSA infection and colonization rates in Europe, so it becomes critical to identify MRSA colonized patients at hospital admission on the Emergency Room (ER), before placement into wards, preventing the mixing of colonized patients with non-colonized ones
Using the Epidemiological Query at Admission (EEQA), we’ve obtained a positive predictive value (PPV) of 24,6 % for the question choosed to identify and screen colonized MRSA risk patients. This value represents 759 MRSA patient admissions in one year, who received adequate isolation procedures, preventing their mixing with non MRSA colonized patients during hospital stay. This may had a decisive role on observed reduction of MRSA nosocomial infection rate at our hospital
With the approval of the Clinical Board, the Infection Control and Antibiotics Committee (ICAC) defined as mandatorily the fulfillment of EEQA to all patients at admission
Summary
Portugal has one of the highest MRSA infection and colonization rates in Europe, so it becomes critical to identify MRSA colonized patients at hospital admission on the Emergency Room (ER), before placement into wards, preventing the mixing of colonized patients with non-colonized ones.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
