Should vascular surgery patients be screened preoperatively for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Bruce Y. Lee, Becky Y. Tsui, Rachel R. Bailey, Kenneth J. Smith, Robert R. Muder, G. Jonathan Lewis, Lee H. Harrison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause severe infection in patients who are undergoing vascular surgical operations. Testing all vascular surgery patients preoperatively for MRSA and attempting to decolonize those who have positive results may be a strategy to prevent MRSA infection. The economic value of such a strategy has not yet been determined. methods. We developed a decision-analytic computer simulation model to determine the economic value of using such a strategy before all vascular surgical procedures from the societal and third-party payer perspectives at different MRSA prevalence and decolonization success rates. results. The model showed preoperative MRSA testing to be cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, <$50,000 per qualityadjusted life year) when the MRSA prevalence is ≥0.01 and the decolonization success rate is ≥0.25. In fact, this strategy was dominant (ie, less costly and more effective) at the following thresholds: MRSA prevalence ≥0.01 and decolonization success rate ≥0.5, and MRSA prevalence ≥0.025 and decolonization success rate ≥0.25. conclusion. Testing and decolonizing patients for MRSA before vascular surgery may be a cost-effective strategy over a wide range of MRSA prevalence and decolonization success rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1158-1165
Number of pages8
JournalInfection control and hospital epidemiology
Volume30
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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