National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Antibiotics (3)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Caregiving (1)
- Children/Adolescents (5)
- Clostridium difficile Infections (2)
- Community-Acquired Infections (5)
- Comparative Effectiveness (1)
- Critical Care (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Family Health and History (2)
- Genetics (2)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (10)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospitals (2)
- Imaging (1)
- Infectious Diseases (3)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (2)
- Long-Term Care (1)
- Medication (3)
- (-) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (19)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (1)
- Newborns/Infants (2)
- Nursing Homes (1)
- Patient Safety (8)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Prevention (7)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Sepsis (1)
- Social Stigma (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedSmith TC, Davis MF, Heaney CD
Pig movement and antimicrobial use drive transmission of livestock-associated staphylococcus aureus CC398.
Staphylococcus aureus was originally considered a hospital-associated organism, but new classes of methicillin-resistant strains have emerged outside of the hospital setting, including among livestock. This article discusses a recent study which examined the transportation of pigs on over 200 farms; the authors of this article contend that the results of the study demonstrate the importance of cooperation between occupational health services, genomics, veterinary medicine, and farmers in understanding the epidemiology of MRSAs as related to livestock.
AHRQ-funded; HS019966.
Citation: Smith TC, Davis MF, Heaney CD .
Pig movement and antimicrobial use drive transmission of livestock-associated staphylococcus aureus CC398.
MBio 2018 Dec 11;9(6). doi: 10.1128/mBio.02459-18..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Patient Safety, Prevention
Frush JM, Zhu Y, Edwards KM
Prevalence of staphylococcus aureus and use of antistaphylococcal therapy in children hospitalized with pneumonia.
In a studied group of children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia, staphylococcal pneumonia was rare but associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes. Despite this low prevalence, use of antistaphylococcal antibiotics was common. The authors recommended efforts to minimize overuse of antistaphylococcal antibiotics while also ensuring adequate treatment for pathogen-specific diseases.
AHRQ-funded; HS022342.
Citation: Frush JM, Zhu Y, Edwards KM .
Prevalence of staphylococcus aureus and use of antistaphylococcal therapy in children hospitalized with pneumonia.
J Hosp Med 2018 Dec;13(12):848-52. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3093..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Infectious Diseases, Pneumonia, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Community-Acquired Infections, Hospitalization, Antibiotics, Medication
Mork RL, Hogan PG, Muenks CE
Comprehensive modeling reveals proximity, seasonality, and hygiene practices as key determinants of MRSA colonization in exposed households.
To develop interventions to prevent recurrent infections, household attributes and individual practices influencing S. aureus colonization must be discerned. In this paper, the investigators discuss key determinants of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization in exposed households. They suggest that the practices they identified in their study, that correlate with MRSA colonization, will inform physician counseling and multifaceted interventions among MRSA-affected households to mitigate MRSA in the community.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736; HS024269.
Citation: Mork RL, Hogan PG, Muenks CE .
Comprehensive modeling reveals proximity, seasonality, and hygiene practices as key determinants of MRSA colonization in exposed households.
Pediatr Res 2018 Nov;84(5):668-76. doi: 10.1038/s41390-018-0113-x..
Keywords: Community-Acquired Infections, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety
Parrish KL, Hogan PG, Clemons AA
Spatial relationships among public places frequented by families plagued by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
In this study, the investigators mapped public places (including personal service establishments, fitness centers, pools, schools, and daycares) visited by members of households affected by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection, in order to understand factors associated with CA-MRSA acquisition and infection.
AHRQ-funded; HS024269; HS021736.
Citation: Parrish KL, Hogan PG, Clemons AA .
Spatial relationships among public places frequented by families plagued by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
BMC Res Notes 2018 Oct 1;11(1):692. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3797-4..
Keywords: Community-Acquired Infections, Family Health and History, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Muenks CE, Sewell WC, Hogan PG
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus: the effects are more than skin deep.
The purpose of the study was to assess the psychosocial effects of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) diagnosis on the households of children with MRSA skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). The study found that primary caregivers of children with MRSA SSTI reported changing their health behaviors, altering their interactions with people outside of their home, and feeling isolated by others in response to their child's MRSA diagnosis.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736.
Citation: Muenks CE, Sewell WC, Hogan PG .
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus: the effects are more than skin deep.
J Pediatr 2018 Aug;199:158-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.04.002..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Social Stigma
McBride S, Thurm C, Gouripeddi R
Comparison of empiric antibiotics for acute osteomyelitis in children.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly used for the empiric treatment of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis and often target methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with medication-associated risk and unknown treatment benefit. In this study, the investigators aimed to compare clinical outcomes among patients with osteomyelitis who did and did not receive initial antibiotics used to target MRSA. The investigators found that, early antibiotic treatment used to target MRSA was associated with a higher rate of repeat MRI.
AHRQ-funded; HS019862.
Citation: McBride S, Thurm C, Gouripeddi R .
Comparison of empiric antibiotics for acute osteomyelitis in children.
Hosp Pediatr 2018 May;8(5):280-87. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0079..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Antibiotics, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medication, Imaging, Patient Safety
Wardyn SE, Stegger M, Price LB
Whole-genome analysis of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus t571/ST398 infection in farmer, Iowa, USA.
Staphylococcus aureus strain sequence type (ST) 398 has emerged during the last decade, largely among persons who have contact with swine or other livestock. Although colonization with ST398 is common in livestock workers, infections are not frequently documented. The authors report recurrent ST398-IIa infection in an Iowa farmer in contact with swine and cattle.
AHRQ-funded; HS019966.
Citation: Wardyn SE, Stegger M, Price LB .
Whole-genome analysis of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus t571/ST398 infection in farmer, Iowa, USA.
Emerg Infect Dis 2018 Jan;24(1):153-54. doi: 10.3201/eid2401.161184.
.
.
Keywords: Community-Acquired Infections, Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Pierce R, Bryant K, Elward A
Bacterial infections in neonates following mupirocin-based MRSA decolonization: a multicenter cohort study.
This study characterized the risk of infection after MRSA decolonization with intranasal mupirocin. It concluded that in a multicentered cohort of MRSA-colonized neonates, mupirocin-based decolonization treatment appeared to decrease the risk of infection with select gram-positive organisms as intended, and the treatment was not significantly associated with risk of subsequent infections with organisms not covered by mupirocin's spectrum of activity.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Pierce R, Bryant K, Elward A .
Bacterial infections in neonates following mupirocin-based MRSA decolonization: a multicenter cohort study.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Aug;38(8):930-36. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.108.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Newborns/Infants, Patient Safety
Deshpande A, Cadnum JL, Fertelli D
Are hospital floors an underappreciated reservoir for transmission of health care-associated pathogens?
In a survey of 5 hospitals, the researchers found that floors in patient rooms were frequently contaminated with pathogens and high-touch objects such as blood pressure cuffs and call buttons were often in contact with the floor. Contact with objects on floors frequently resulted in transfer of pathogens to hands.
AHRQ-funded; HS020004.
Citation: Deshpande A, Cadnum JL, Fertelli D .
Are hospital floors an underappreciated reservoir for transmission of health care-associated pathogens?
Am J Infect Control 2017 Mar;45(3):336-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.11.005.
.
.
Keywords: Hospitals, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Clostridium difficile Infections, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety
Anderson DJ, Chen LF, Weber DJ
Enhanced terminal room disinfection and acquisition and infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile (the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection study): a cluster-randomised, multicentre, crossover study.
The researchers determined the effects of three enhanced strategies for terminal room disinfection (disinfection of a room between occupying patients) on acquisition and infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, C difficile, and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter. They found that the incidence of target organisms among exposed patients was significantly lower after adding UV (quaternary ammonium disinfectant and disinfecting ultraviolet [UV-C]) light to standard cleaning strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Anderson DJ, Chen LF, Weber DJ .
Enhanced terminal room disinfection and acquisition and infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile (the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection study): a cluster-randomised, multicentre, crossover study.
Lancet 2017 Feb 25;389(10071):805-14. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31588-4.
.
.
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety
Bunnell KL, Zullo AR, Collins C
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in critically ill trauma and burn patients: a retrospective cohort study.
The authors sought to determine the incidence of MRSA pneumonia in early-onset and late-onset pneumonia and to identify risk factors for MRSA in the trauma-burn intensive care unit (ICU). They found that the 11.4% overall incidence of MRSA pneumonia in the studied trauma-burn cohort was similar to what has been reported in other trauma populations, although MRSA was equally likely to be identified in early- and late-onset pneumonia. They suggested that risk factors other than duration of hospitalization may be important considerations in the decision to initiate MRSA-active empiric therapy for pneumonia in the trauma-burn ICU.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Bunnell KL, Zullo AR, Collins C .
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in critically ill trauma and burn patients: a retrospective cohort study.
Surg Infect 2017 Feb/Mar;18(2):196-201. doi: 10.1089/sur.2016.115.
.
.
Keywords: Critical Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Albrecht JS, Croft L, Morgan DJ
Perceptions of gown and glove use to prevent methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus transmission in nursing homes.
This qualitative study explored current use and perceptions of glove and gown use in nursing homes. Analysis of recordings of three focus group discussions revealed that direct care staff reported using gowns and gloves primarily as self-protection against contact with bodily fluids, not to prevent MRSA transmission. Glove use was described as common and more acceptable to staff and residents than gown use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560; HS022135.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Croft L, Morgan DJ .
Perceptions of gown and glove use to prevent methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus transmission in nursing homes.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2017 Feb;18(2):158-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2016.08.016.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Nursing Homes, Prevention, Patient Safety
Immergluck LC, Jain S, Ray SM
Risk of skin and soft tissue infections among children found to be staphylococcus aureus MRSA USA300 carriers.
The purpose of this study conducted in a pediatric emergency department was to examine community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) carriage and infections and determine risk factors associated specifically with MRSA USA300. It found that children younger than two years were at highest risk for MRSA USA300 carriage. Lower income, recent antibiotic use, and previous or family history of skin and soft tissue infections were risk factors for MRSA USA300 carriage.
AHRQ-funded; HS024338.
Citation: Immergluck LC, Jain S, Ray SM .
Risk of skin and soft tissue infections among children found to be staphylococcus aureus MRSA USA300 carriers.
West J Emerg Med 2017 Feb;18(2):201-12. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2016.10.30483.
.
.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Children/Adolescents, Community-Acquired Infections, Emergency Department, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Pierce R, Lessler J, Popoola VO
Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition risk in an endemic neonatal intensive care unit with an active surveillance culture and decolonization programme.
The researchers measured the association between colonization pressure from decolonized and non-decolonized neonates and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MRSA acquisition to inform use of this strategy for control of endemic MRSA. They concluded that untreated MRSA carriers were an important reservoir for transmission. Decolonized patients on contact isolation posed no detectable transmission threat, supporting the hypothesis that decolonization may reduce patient-to-patient transmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Pierce R, Lessler J, Popoola VO .
Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition risk in an endemic neonatal intensive care unit with an active surveillance culture and decolonization programme.
J Hosp Infect 2017 Jan;95(1):91-97. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.10.022.
.
.
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Prevention, Newborns/Infants
Fritz SA, Hogan PG, Singh LN
Contamination of environmental surfaces with Staphylococcus aureus in households with children infected with methicillin-resistant S aureus.
This study of the households of 50 children with active or recent culture-positive community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection found MRSA-contaminated surfaces in 23 of the 50 households, most frequently form the bed linens (18 percent), television remote control (16 percent), and bathroom hand towel (15 percent).
AHRQ-funded; HS021736
Citation: Fritz SA, Hogan PG, Singh LN .
Contamination of environmental surfaces with Staphylococcus aureus in households with children infected with methicillin-resistant S aureus.
JAMA Pediatr. 2014 Nov;168(11):1030-8. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.1218..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Septimus EJ, Hayden MK, Kleinman K
Does chlorhexidine bathing in adult intensive care units reduce blood culture contamination? A pragmatic cluster-randomized trial.
The investigators determined rates of blood culture contamination comparing 3 strategies to prevent intensive care unit (ICU) infections: screening and isolation, targeted decolonization, and universal decolonization. They demonstrated that universal decolonization with mupirocin and chlorhexidine bathing resulted in a significant reduction in blood culture contamination.
AHRQ-funded; 290201000008I; 290032007T.
Citation: Septimus EJ, Hayden MK, Kleinman K .
Does chlorhexidine bathing in adult intensive care units reduce blood culture contamination? A pragmatic cluster-randomized trial.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014 Oct;35 Suppl 3:S17-22. doi: 10.1086/677822.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Sepsis
Nair R, Thapaliya D, Su Y
Resistance to zinc and cadmium in Staphylococcus aureus of human and animal origin.
The investigators determined the prevalence of zinc and cadmium resistance in S. aureus isolated in the United States. They found that resistance to zinc and cadmium was observed to be associated with MRSA, suggesting that prolonged exposure to zinc in livestock feeds and fertilizers could propagate resistance to the metal ion, hindering the use of zinc-based topical agents in treating S. aureus infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS019966.
Citation: Nair R, Thapaliya D, Su Y .
Resistance to zinc and cadmium in Staphylococcus aureus of human and animal origin.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014 Oct;35 Suppl 3:S32-9. doi: 10.1086/677834.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Patel PA, Schora DM, Peterson KE
Performance of the Cepheid Xpert(R) SA Nasal Complete PCR assay compared to culture for detection of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization.
Conventional culture-based methods, including several chromogenic agars, are available for SA and MRSA surveillance but they can take several days and have reduced sensitivity compared to amplification assays. Overall, the Cepheid assay proved a rapid, sensitive, and clinically useful test for the early detection and differentiation of MRSA and MSSA colonization on patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS019968.
Citation: Patel PA, Schora DM, Peterson KE .
Performance of the Cepheid Xpert(R) SA Nasal Complete PCR assay compared to culture for detection of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2014 Sep;80(1):32-4. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2014.05.019..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Genetics, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Barnes SL, Morgan DJ, Harris AD
Preventing the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms: modeling the relative importance of hand hygiene and environmental cleaning interventions.
The authors investigated the relative impact of hand hygiene and environmental cleaning in order to assess resource allocation. They concluded that hand hygiene should remain a priority for infection control programs, but environmental cleaning can have significant benefit for hospitals or individual hospital units that have either high hand hygiene compliance levels or low terminal cleaning thoroughness.
AHRQ-funded; HS018111.
Citation: Barnes SL, Morgan DJ, Harris AD .
Preventing the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms: modeling the relative importance of hand hygiene and environmental cleaning interventions.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014 Sep;35(9):1156-62. doi: 10.1086/677632.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention