Institution Of The Steiros Algorithm™ Dramatically Reduces Hospital Acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Rates

Background: Control of hospital acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are imperative for the safety of our patients. As infection control practitioners we strive to have the lowest hospital acquired infection (HAI) rate possible for all drug resistant organisms. An easily instituted whole hospital infection control algorithm which simultaneously controls all HAIs would greatly enhance patient care and lower hospital costs. Objective: This study evaluates the effects of a novel global environmental cleaning algorithm (Steiros Algorithm™) on hospital acquired MRSA rates. Methods: The hospital's procedure and infection rate database was reviewed for all hospital acquired MRSA cases from october 1st, 2005 through september 30th, 2009 at one acute care teaching hospital. A standardized MRSA surveillance program was used throughout the study period. We calculated and compared the MRSA rate per 1000 discharges before and after the Steiros Algorithm™ was instituted on January 1st, 2006. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) MRSA rates were reviewed for comparison. Previously published costs associated with hospital acquired MRSA infections of $6,916 dollars per infection were used for the cost estimates. Results: The MRSA rates went from 1.97 per 1000 discharges (22/11174) before to 0.11 per 1000 discharges (19/170,072) after institution of the Steiros Algorithm™ for a statistically significant drop of 94% (P<0.0001) In comparison to the expected CDC reported MRSA rate of 4.8 per 1000 discharges, the Steiros Algorithm™ reduced hospital acquired MRSA infections by over 97%. Due to the reduction in MRSA infections, the hospital saved $2,282,280 over a 3 3/4 year period. Conclusions: We believe that the Steiros Algorithm™, a global environmental cleaning protocol for hospitals, is a very safe and effective way to reduce hospital acquired MRSA infections and hospital costs by eliminating bacteria from the hospital and patient environment. In this retrospective review, the institution of the Steiros Infection Control Algorithm dramatically reduced the hospital acquired MRSA rates and their associated costs.