Surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in acute care hospitals. Results of the VINCat Program (2008-2010).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of healthcare-related infection. Surveillance and prevention of MRSA is a priority in infection control programs. The aim of this study was to describe rates and trends of MRSA colonization or infection in 40 hospitals participating in the VINCat Program from 2008 to 2010. The study included all patients treated in acute care areas of participating hospitals. Hospitals were stratified into 3 groups based on size. The following annual indicators were reported: Methicillin-resistance rate, incidence density of new cases of MRSA and incidence density of MRSA bacteremia. Between 2008 and 2010, the yearly mean rate of resistance to methicillin remained stable for the study period (24%-25%), while the mean incidence of new cases of MRSA decreased from 0.65 to 0.54 cases per 1000 patient-days (p=NS) and the mean incidence of MRSA bacteremia decreased from 0.06 to 0.05 cases per 1,000 patient-days (p=NS). The implementation of a MRSA surveillance system in hospitals that participated in the VINCat Program provides information on the situation of each institution and facilitated interhospital comparisons in order to establish appropriate preventive measures.