Oral

This timely session will focus on current issues related to the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Presentations will include discussions of trends in MRSA infection in hospital and ambulatory care settings and in workers’ compensation claims. Another presentation will focus on the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers and other topical antiseptics on the control and prevention of MRSA.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to: 1. Articulate the reasons that alcohol based instant hand sanitizers are the best hand hygiene option for the control and prevention of MRSA 2. Identify differences in risk of MRSA infection related to patient demographics, source of admission, and type of admission diagnosis 3. Describe the burden of S. aureus-associated skin and soft tissue infections on the U.S. ambulatory health care system 4. To determine the rate of MRSA infection among workers employed in high risk settings