The Burden of Staphylococcus aureus Infections on Hospitals in the United States

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of health care–associated infections in acute care hospitals. It is the most common cause of nosocomial pneumonia and surgical site infections and the second most common cause of bloodstream, cardiovascular, and eye, ear, nose, and throat infections.^1,2 An increasing percentage of S aureus infections are caused by antimicrobial-resistant strains of the organism, with some medical centers reporting that more than half of S aureus isolates are methicillin resistant.³ Knowledge of the impact of S aureus infections on a national level is helpful for medical personnel, hospital administrators, and payers who make financial and policy decisions to prevent the spread of this organism.