Community-Acquired Mrsa

Course overview

Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staph Infection (CA-MRSA) is an emerging phenomenon in the medical-legal risk area. CA-MRSA is a high-risk clinical entity that is fundamentally changing the management of skin and soft tissue infections. Practitioners in many different specialties are seeing a vast increase in the number of CA-MRSA cases; however, many practitioners have not yet become acquainted with this entity and its various presentations. Practitioners must be aware of the changing pattern of community epidemiology, the various presentations of CA-MRSA, the appropriate management of the condition, and common complications. In this activity, we present evidence-based medical literature, share a discussion with an Infectious Disease Specialist, and discuss a number of cases to offer guidance related to diagnosis, evaluation, and management of patients presenting with CA-MRSA. After completing this activity, practitioners should be able to: recognize patients who present with skin and soft tissue infections who are at increased risk for CA-MRSA; identify atypical presentations of CA-MRSA infection, such as necrotizing pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis, septic shock, epidural abscess, and other serious infections; and apply the indications for the addition of antibiotics in the treatment of CA-MRSA.