What is the benefit of MRSA screening?
Many people have the logical perception that it is beneficial to have programs aimed at determining whether individuals who enter a healthcare institution (such as a hospital) are colonized with MRSA. Indeed, some states have even developed legislation that mandates MRSA screening. These mandates have provided for different approaches and different programs. Some legislation mandates screening at the time of hospital admission. Others mandate screening at the time of admission to an Intensive Care Unit. Some practices have extended the identification of positive individuals to include attempts at decolonizing these individuals with various antibiotic and antiseptic regimens. Various problems have been identified with these MRSA screening approaches, however. First, they are expensive. Second, they may focus only on one of many antibiotic-resistant pathogens and provide no potential benefit for other healthcare associated infections. Third, they may not take into account the considerabl
