A study published in the most recent issue of JAMA Internal Medicine found rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus declined by 54.2 percent in nine U.S. metropolitan areas between 2005 and 2011.
Researchers examined national MRSA rate estimates from U.S. census and U.S. Renal Data System data. Figures included invasive healthcare-associated community onset, hospital-onset and community-associated MRSA infections.
Total MRSA infection rates were down more than 40 percent across the country between 2005 and 2001, with community-onset infections changing the least with a 5 percent decrease.
Researchers suggest that while guidelines in acute-care settings have been effective in reducing MRSA infections, future MRSA reduction efforts should be focused on community rate reduction efforts.
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