New Geo-Mapping Software

Responding to a recent request utilizing the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation’s database and the new geo-mapping software, we created a Dallas County map detailing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patients. MRSA is a bacterial infection highly resistant to antibiotics.

The two types of MRSA are healthcare and community associated. Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) occurs in hospitals where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public. Community-associated MRSA occurs in otherwise healthy people who have not recently been in a hospital. This group includes athletes, children in daycare facilities, military personnel and those who obtain tattoos.

Hospitals staffs attempting to improve healthcare quality for patients are concerned about an increase in HA-MRSA cases in the U.S. This crucial topic is the reason the DFWHC Foundation is hosting the patient safety event “Hospital Associated Infections:  Reporting, Prevention, and Antibiotic Stewardship” June 8 at the Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. To register for this event please click here: http://dfwhcfoundationjune8th.eventbrite.com

The Dallas County map of MRSA incidents in 2010 details patients of our member hospitals and the zip code where they live. Size of the dots indicate the number of cases of MRSA (the larger the dot, the more cases within the zip code). It is interesting to note MRSA incidents increase in areas surrounding Dallas. It is difficult to suggest a reason for the increase without further research. Explanations could be determined with overlays of other maps detailing income and age. For additional information on geo-mapping, please contact Dr. Pamela Doughty at pdoughty@dfwhcfoundation.org.


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