Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics including methicillin and other more common antibiotics. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and dialysis centers.  However recently, such infections have been identified in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedures and are  known as community-associated (CA)-MRSA infections.

MRSA is becoming more prevalent in community and healthcare settings. According to CDC data, the proportion of infections that are antimicrobial resistant has been growing. In 1974, MRSA infections accounted for two percent of the total number of staph infections; in 1995 it was 22%; in 2004 it was 63%.

The Kentucky Hospital Association, in partnership with the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and Health Care Excel of Kentucky are launching a statewide MRSA Collaborative aimed at increasing knowledge regarding  identification, treatment and containment of MRSA.  The Collaborative will utilize current best practices, national experts, and easily accessibly Web-based tools to educate health care providers as well as members of other disciplines. 

Kentucky MRSA Awareness Summit  
July 31 - August 1, 2008
Location: The Galt House, Louisville
 

Registration is now closed.
 

Kentucky’s health care leaders, including hospitals, public health, nursing homes, and first responders and other key stakeholders are holding an important community forum on July 31 - August 1, 2008 to help educate health care personnel, schools, correctional institution personnel and other stakeholders on a serious health concern.  Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics and most frequently occurs among people in hospitals and health care facilities who have weakened immune systems.  Another type of MRSA found in places like schools, day care centers, gyms, and other places where people congregate, has led to media attention and a resulting concern about its potential spread.

Hospitals and other health care providers throughout Kentucky have identified and implemented  effective strategies to prevent the spread of MRSA and similar infections. They will share these strategies with community members attending the forums.

A number of  local and national  clinical experts, public health officers, and others involved in efforts to reduce the rates of such infections and lower the risks will be on hand to share common-sense information to help protect individuals from contracting MRSA in community settings and provide expert clinical guidance on how best to treat and contain these infections.

A copy of the Summit's brochure is available here.

For More Information Contact: Elizabeth Cobb, 502-426-6220 or ecobb@kyha.com