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. In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections. More severe or potentially life-threatening MRSA infections occur most frequently among patients in healthcare settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is also called MRSA. 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.