Researchers found that electronic prediction rules that automate triage of patients for MRSA-related hospital admissions could be more cost-effective than traditional surveillance for MRSA colonization.
For the study, researchers derived five MRSA colonization prediction rules and assessed 23,314 patients who were admitted to a hospital and tested for MRSA colonization. Rules incorporated only prospectively collected, structured electronic data found in a patient's record within one day of hospital admission. These rules were validated in a cohort of 26,650 patients who were admitted to two other hospitals.
Results showed the five prediction rules varied in performance, but each could be used to identify the 30 percent of patients who accounted for greater than 60 percent of all cases of MRSA colonization and approximately 70 percent of all MRSA-associated patient days. Most rules could also identify the 20 percent of patients with a greater than 8 percent chance of colonization and the 40 percent of patients among whom colonization prevalence was 2 percent or less.
Read the study about electronic MRSA prediction rules.
Read other coverage about MRSA:
- Researchers Suggest ICD-9 Should Not be Used to Predict, Measure MRSA Infections
- Sample MRSA Policy
- APIC Updates MRSA Elimination Guide
For the study, researchers derived five MRSA colonization prediction rules and assessed 23,314 patients who were admitted to a hospital and tested for MRSA colonization. Rules incorporated only prospectively collected, structured electronic data found in a patient's record within one day of hospital admission. These rules were validated in a cohort of 26,650 patients who were admitted to two other hospitals.
Results showed the five prediction rules varied in performance, but each could be used to identify the 30 percent of patients who accounted for greater than 60 percent of all cases of MRSA colonization and approximately 70 percent of all MRSA-associated patient days. Most rules could also identify the 20 percent of patients with a greater than 8 percent chance of colonization and the 40 percent of patients among whom colonization prevalence was 2 percent or less.
Read the study about electronic MRSA prediction rules.
Read other coverage about MRSA:
- Researchers Suggest ICD-9 Should Not be Used to Predict, Measure MRSA Infections
- Sample MRSA Policy
- APIC Updates MRSA Elimination Guide