A patient colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is at risk for healthcare-associated infections and is a source for spread to others. Detecting colonization involves testing a number of sites that may harbor the organism.
Sites for specimen collection may include:
(1) anterior nares
(2) perineum or perianal area
(3) inguinal region
(4) neck and/or ear
(5) forehead
(6) axilla
(7) sites of indwelling devices
(8) wounds
(9) any other site previously documented as being colonized
Testing only 1 or 2 sites may fail to detect a colonized patient (false negative).
Testing multiple sites increases the cost of detection and surveillance.
cost of screening =
= (number of sites) * (cost per site)
If the patient is screened and surveyed several times, then these costs are repeated.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
