• Matthew J Labreche, Grace C Lee, Russell T Attridge, Eric M Mortensen, Jim Koeller, Liem C Du, Natalie R Nyren, Lucina B Treviño, Sylvia B Treviño, Joel Peña, Michael W Mann, Abilio Muñoz, Yolanda Marcos, Guillermo Rocha, Stella Koretsky, Sandra Esparza, Mitchell Finnie, Steven D Dallas, Michael L Parchman, and Christopher R Frei.
• Division of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA.
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2013 Sep 1; 26 (5): 508-17.

ObjectiveTo measure the incidence of treatment failure and associated costs in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).MethodsThis was a prospective, observational study in 13 primary care clinics. Primary care providers collected clinical data, wound swabs, and 90-day follow-up information. Patients were considered to have "moderate or complicated" SSTIs if they had a lesion ≥5 cm in diameter or diabetes mellitus. Treatment failure was evaluated within 90 days of the initial visit. Cost estimates were obtained from federal sources.ResultsOverall, treatment failure occurred in 21% of patients (21 of 98) at a mean additional cost of $1,933.71 per patient. In a subgroup analysis of patients who received incision and drainage, those with moderate or complicated SSTIs had higher rates of treatment failure than those with mild or uncomplicated SSTIs (36% vs. 10%; P=.04).ConclusionsOne in 5 patients presenting to a primary care clinic for a methicillin-resistant S. aureus SSTI will likely require additional interventions at an associated cost of almost $2,000 per patient. Baseline risk stratification and new treatment approaches are needed to reduce treatment failures and costs in the primary care setting.

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