Financial implications of plans to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an orthopaedic department

Abstract

The aim of this study was to calculate retrospectively the cost of MRSA infections in the elective and trauma orthopaedic population in Rotherham District General Hospital in a 3-month period during 2005. A total of 686 patients were admitted to the orthopaedic wards and the surgical wounds 10 patients became infected with MRSA. The cost of these infections when extrapolated over 12 months was £384,000 excluding staff costs. The key in the fight against MRSA in the hospital setting is multifactorial and requires a combination of measures. Our solution is: cohort nursing; non-selective screening of all admissions to the orthopaedic wards; use of a polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool; ring-fencing of beds; and separate wound dressing rooms for each ward. The total cost is projected to be £301,000.