Eliminating MRSA transmission in a tertiary neonatal unit–A quality improvement initiative

Highlights

Simple infection control measures can help to eliminate MRSA transmission in NICU.
Improving hand hygiene and environmental hygiene compliance are pivotal.
Active surveillance to detect positive cases and contact precaution are crucial.
Cohorting outborn babies prior to surveillance swab result is key to prevention.
Sustainability of results need reinforcement of infection control practices.

Background

Health care facility-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HO-MRSA) colonization or infection is a major cause of health care–associated infection (HAI) worldwide. HAIs are preventable and considered a health care quality outcome indicator. A quality improvement project to eliminate HO-MRSA transmission was conducted in a tertiary care neonatal unit over a 9-month period, and sustainability data were monitored. The primary aim of this project was to achieve zero transmission of MRSA among all neonatal unit admissions, and secondary aims were to improve hand hygiene (HH) and environmental hygiene compliance to 100%.