Study Assesses BDGeneOhm MRSA Test, Endorses Mass Screening
A study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that Becton, Dickson and Company’s test to screen patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can reduce the rate of infection. The trial examined use of the BD GeneOhm MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic test, manufactured by company subsidiary BD Diagnostics.
This study was completed in three different hospitals across the U.S. and evaluated two different surveillance approaches. The first year of the study established a baseline rate of MRSA infections. During the following year, only patients in the intensive care setting underwent MRSA screening. In the last year, all patients admitted to the hospital were screened for MRSA. Importantly, the infection rates during the three years was essentially the same.
Patients were screened with the test described above, the BD GeneOhm MRSA PCR diagnostic test. Those patients who tested positive were treated with topical decolonization therapy and contact isolation.
Infection rates at the study institution were decreased by a rate of 70 percent in a period of less than two years. Infections were decreased across the body site categories assessed, including respiratory infections, urinary tract, bloodstream, and surgical site.
An important finding from the study is that limiting surveillance to the critical care units is not an effective means to reduce MRSA cases. A reduction to MRSA was only noted when universal testing was implemented, the final study period.
Executives BD Diagnostics noted that each institution needs to determine their individual needs for MRSA screening based on risk assessment. While the institution from the study required active surveillance for all patients, others may only require screening for high-risk groups.
This is the largest U.S.-based study that has been completed to date that evaluates an active, universal surveillance system in conjunction with a broad infection prevention program to reduce the incidence of MRSA.
March 28, 2008 Related topics: Hygiene & Cleanliness, Diagnostic