OSE_1301_part3_Layout 1 1/11/13 11:02 AM Page 142
INFECTION PREVENTION
to C. difficile is meticulous cleaning followed by disinfection using
hypochlorite-based germicides." That is, bleach-containing disinfectants.4
3. What is the leading cause of surgical site infections in the United States?
a. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
b. C. difficile
c. vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
d. norovirus
Answer: a. methicillin-resistant S. aureus
S. aureus is the leading cause of surgical site infections (SSIs) in the
United States.5 Antimicrobial prophylaxis is the main strategy to prevent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), but it's important to note
that surface disinfection also plays a role. Evidence is accumulating
that contaminated surfaces contribute to transmission of all the
answer options as well as Acinetobacter baumannii and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and that improved environmental decontamination helps to prevent and control outbreaks.6 MRSA can live for
months on surfaces.7
It's important to note that norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of
infection in the United States. Last winter, norovirus was frequently in the
headlines for causing many outbreaks, giving it timely significance for
surgical facilities.8 A recent survey found that medical/surgical units rep1 4 2
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J A N U A R Y 2013
