Why is this measure important?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. In a healthcare facility, MRSA can cause serious bloodstream infections. MRSA can be spread by direct contact with infected cuts and sores and contaminated hands.

Hospital staff members can prevent most MRSA infections by following the infection control guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hospitals following these safety guidelines will likely have low numbers in this measure.

What does this measure show?

The MRSA infection score is shown as a Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR). This ratio is found by comparing the number of MRSA infections at Northwestern Memorial to a national benchmark. The rate is based on results of laboratory tests that were obtained on or after day four of an inpatient stay and do not consider presence or timing of clinical signs or symptoms.

For this measure, a lower number is better.