The Journal of hospital infection
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Community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as an important pathogen worldwide in a continent-specific manner. Clinical characteristics of infections caused by CA-MRSA other than USA300, especially in healthcare settings, have not been well established. ⋯ Increasing trends were observed in annual incidence of CO and HO infections by ST72-IV in Korea. Pneumonia was the most frequent among HO infection and was associated with higher mortality. These findings pose important implications for successful antibiotic therapy and infection control in the era of CA-MRSA.
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Litigation costs resulting from clinical negligence claims involving healthcare-associated infections are a significant but underappreciated cost to healthcare organizations. In England these claims are handled on behalf of the National Health Service (NHS) organizations by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA). The total number of claims and the amounts awarded have increased significantly in recent years. ⋯ The number of litigation claims involving MRSA has recently decreased significantly in line with surveillance data. There was no observed effect on claims involving C. difficile. The amounts awarded for successful claims for both infections have also fallen, although the reasons for this are not clear.