Introduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal polymerase chain reaction testing combined with pharmacist ordering and intervention reduces anti-MRSA antibiotic use in a multi-hospital system

TL;DR

A new approach using MRSA nasal testing and pharmacist oversight reduced MRSA antibiotic use across multiple hospitals.

Contribution

Combining MRSA nasal PCR testing with pharmacist intervention significantly reduced anti-MRSA antibiotic use in a multi-hospital system.

Findings

Implementation led to a 20.2% reduction in anti-MRSA antibiotic use.

17 of 23 patient care units saw significant reductions.

The approach is effective for antimicrobial stewardship in multi-center settings.

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal polymerase chain reaction implementation combined with pharmacist oversight across four hospitals resulted in a 20.2% reduction in anti-MRSA agent standardized antimicrobial administration ratios with significant reductions across 17 of 23 patient care units, further supporting this approach as an effective, multi-center, antimicrobial stewardship strategy.

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