MRSA Rates: Are They Increasing Or Decreasing?

 

 

 

A research proposal Submitted to Dale Sullivan for English 324, Writing In the Sciences

 

 

 

 

 

By

Michael Aanes

North Dakota State University

 

 

 

Abstract

                           MRSA has been a concern among hospitals for decades now. The introduction and background will provide brief synopses of some information of recent and current MRSA rates. The project design will determine what information will be used to develop the project and what knowledge will be gained during the gathering of all of the required information. The project methodŐs detail how the information will be gathered.

 

Introduction and Background

                           Research on the topic of Hospital- Acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) by Dr. Alexander J. Kallen has indicated that MRSA rates are on the decline (ScienceDaily, 2010). Similarly, an article by Larry M. Baddour, MD indicates that MRSA rates related to surgical-site infections is declining (Larry M. Baddour, 2010). However, an article provided by Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has indicated that on the national level, Community-Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is increasing in Pediatric ICU patients (ScienceDaily, 2010). In addition to the articles, statistical data will also provide numbers on the reported cases of HA and CA-MRSA to help determine if MRSA rates overall are on the increase or the decline in Minnesota and North Dakota (North Dakota Department of Health, 2010) (Minnesota Department of Health, 2003-2009).

             

Project Description

                           The intent of the study is to determine if HA and CA-MRSA rates are the decline and to determine which age range is at the most risk for contracting either form of MRSA. With approval from Dale Sullivan, the study would be done by a review of literature detailing increases and decreases of reported HA and CA-MRSA cases in recent years including 2010. Statistical data would be reviewed detailing MRSA rates from 2005 to 2009. A phone interview would also be done with epidemiologists at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and North Dakota Department of Health (NDDH) to look into reported cases of MRSA thus far in 2010. If either of the Departments of Health is unable to provide sufficient data, I will also contact hospitals in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Fergus Falls, St. Cloud and Minneapolis/St. Paul to inquire about MRSA rates seen in their hospital admissions. The questions to be asked during the phone interviews will be detailed in the project methods.  In addition to current rates, the interview will collect data on age and gender of reported cases of MRSA to determine any correlation between age/gender and reported cases. I will then be able to determine if age and/or gender makes a difference if MRSA is HA or CA.

 

Project Methods

                           As previously mentioned the study will include a review of literature, statistical data and data collected from phone interviews. Spreadsheets will be developed detailing reported cases of MRSA and if available, the difference in reported HA and CA-MRSA rates. The spreadsheets will also include data collected during phone interviews. There is a timeline below, broken down into 4 phases, detailing when each step of the study will be completed. For the phone interview, the following questions will be asked:

1.      What are the reported numbers of MRSA cases reported in Minnesota/North Dakota so far in 2010?

2.      What age range has the high reported number of MRSA cases in 2010?

3.      Do the MRSA cases affect either gender (male or female) at a higher rate?

4.      Are most of the reported cases of MRSA Hospital Acquired or Community Acquired?

5.      What age range is affected most by Hospital Acquired vs. Community Acquired and vice versa?

6.      What gender is affected most by Hospital Acquired vs. Community Acquired and vice versa?

 

The timeline for the study would include:

Date:                                                                       Event:

Phase 1: Information review

Monday, October 11                                            Project Proposal and Literature Review Due

Friday, October 15                                                Review current articles.

Monday, October 18                                            Review current statistical data.

Phase 2: Data collection

Wednesday, October 20                                      Phone Interview with MDH

Wednesday, October 27                                      Phone Interview with NDDH

Wednesday, November 3                                    Phone Interview with said hospitals in said cities if needed.

Phase 3: Project development

Wednesday, November 10                                  Compilation of data.

Wednesday, November 17                                  Compilation of data

Wednesday, December 1                                     Presentation development

Wednesday, December 8                                     Presentation development

Phase 4: Project completion

Monday, December 13                           Final Project Due.

 

Conclusion

                           With resistances to antibiotics continuing to build, one would think that MRSA rates are on the risk. However, with breakthroughs in different treatments and additional antibiotics, I hope to prove that MRSA rates overall are on the decline.

 

Bibliography

Larry M. Baddour, M. (2010). Reduction in MRSA Cardiothoracic Surgical-Site Infections. JournalWATCH .

Minnesota Department of Health. (2003-2009). Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Health.

North Dakota Department of Health. (2010). Methicilli-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. North Dakota Department of Health.

ScienceDaily. (2010). Rates of Health Care Associated MRSA Infections Decreasing. Journal of the American Medical Association .