MRSA in Healthcare Settings

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. Most MRSA infections are skin infections that often appear as a bump, a boil, or area that is red, tender and swollen, and is sometimes confused with a spider bite. More severe or potentially life-threatening MRSA infections occur most frequently among patients in healthcare settings. For more information, visit CDC’s MRSA web site.

Monitoring MRSA

CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network Patient Safety Component includes surveillance methods to identify and track healthcare-associated infections, such as MRSA infections.