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Updated: 2010-01-07  16:58:32

Penobscot Bay Medical Center is joining all other hospitals in Maine to systematically gather data on the burden of methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) bacteria in our community.

The pilot screening effort, mandated by a state law passed in 2009, requires hospitals to determine what proportion of patients who meet certain medical criteria have MRSA present on their bodies. Results from this year-long study will be used to determine the potential role of MRSA screening policies at individual hospitals. All those who will be screened at PBMC will receive clear, written information and staff will answer all questions.

"This is an important opportunity to learn more about MRSA in Maine and to reemphasize our high standards for patient safety," said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, infectious disease physician at PBMC. "It is also a chance to educate our community about MRSA -- what it is and what it is not."

According to Liechty, everyone has numerous bacteria on their skin. Most are not harmful under normal circumstances. However, certain bacteria, both inside and outside of hospitals, are of special concern because they cannot be treated with certain antibiotics in the event of a significant infection.

In the U.S., it is estimated that the skin of about a third of the population is colonized with common strains of Staph aureus.  About 1 percent are colonized with MRSA.  Either type of Staph aureus can cause simple skin abscesses, other skin disorders or more serious infections. When present, these bacteria will not cause illness in most people, but can do so in the event of skin breakdown -- especially in individuals at extremes of age or with other chronic medical problems.

For the pilot study at PBMC, the hospital will seek to screen the following categories of patients admitted overnight: those admitted to the special care unit; patients with an overnight stay in any nursing facility during the previous six months; hemodialysis patients;  patients who have stayed at a hospital overnight in the past six months and patients transferred from correctional facilities.

The test consists of a quick swab of each nostril. Patients can refuse to be tested. Outpatients, including those undergoing outpatient surgery, will not be routinely tested.

Data collected in the survey will be reported to the state, where it will be analyzed to determine the proportion of patients colonized with MRSA. This information will in turn be used to further develop policies that are already in place to prevent the transmission of MRSA from person to person.