For their study, researchers assessed infection control policies and outcomes from 180 California hospitals. Results from their assessment showed hospitals with a certified infection control director had dramatically lower rates of MRSA bloodstream infections than facilities without a certified specialist. Researchers also found few infection control policies were associated with lower rates of multidrug resistant organisms.
Other findings from their assessment include the following:
• A majority of hospitals (87 percent) conducted MRSA screening upon patient admission.
• Most hospitals implemented contact precautions for confirmed C. difficile and other multidrug-resistant organisms.
• Fewer hospitals implemented presumptive isolation/contact precautions for patients with pending screenings.
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