Should hospitals adopt universal MRSA screening?

The legislators in Nevada are considering making universal MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) screening a law according to a recent news article.

MRSA is one of the most serious infections hospitals face today and its prevention has been a focus for hospitals and the CDC. The Veterans Affairs (VA) adopted a MRSA screening strategy that seemed the most aggressive: screen every patient who comes in the hospital. The cost-effectiveness of universal screening is under a lot of debate. Some argue that there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of universal screening and that the cost as well as effort of screening every patient is too high to justify its adoption.

The VA has demonstrated a lot of success in its MRSA prevention program, and universal screening a key component. The state of Nevada is taking notice and wants the rest of the hospitals to follow suit.

P.S. Dr. Eli Perencevich posted on this topic in his blog. Check out his take on all this here.