Positive Deviance Reducing MRSA

The Positive Deviance Initiative (PDI) and Plexus Institute collaborate to reduced MRSA infection in hospitals.

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) kill an estimated 90,000 people in US hospitals every year. These individuals enter the hospital to address specific health problems, and die from an infection that directly results from their stay in the hospital.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one on the most lethal of the HAIs.

In August 2005 the PDI began collaborating with the Pittsburgh VA hospital (VAPHS) to utilize PD to address the problem of MRSA. The PD approach enabled the hospital to reduce MRSA infection by an estimated 50%.

To learn the steps they took to accomplish the reduction in infections, go to: www.positivedeviance.org