Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) are types of bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics. Because they are harder to treat, infections caused by these bacteria require careful monitoring and prevention.
When these bacteria enter the bloodstream, it is called a bacteremia or bloodstream infection. These infections can be serious, especially for people who are already unwell or have weakened immune systems.
Hospitals closely track MRSA and VRE bloodstream infections as important indicators of patient safety and quality of care. Monitoring these rates helps hospitals identify trends, improve infection prevention practices, and reduce the risk of infections spreading within the healthcare setting.
To review these rates, please click patient safety indicators