A nurse is developing a quality improvement (QI) program. Which of the following would be the most important aspect of the program that should be considered?

A. Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRE) follows MRSA: VRE refers to Enterococcus, not Staphylococcus, and it does not “follow” MRSA.

B. People with MRSA usually have a chronic illness: Although common in compromised hosts, MRSA can affect healthy individuals, especially in community-acquired forms.

C. MRSA is becoming more common in the community: Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is increasingly reported, especially in athletic teams, dorms, and correctional facilities.

D. MRSA is a hospital-acquired infection and not often seen in the community: MRSA is now common both in hospitals and communities.

A. Give antiviral medications to the patient: Medication prescription is not the nurse's legal responsibility; it requires a licensed prescriber.

B. Report the HIV-infected person to the state health department: HIV is a reportable disease in all U.S. states and many other countries. Public health laws require notification to monitor spread and ensure contact tracing.

C. Refer the patient to the social worker for case management: This is a helpful supportive action but not legally required by law.

D. Ask the person to name all his or her sexual contacts: While important for contact tracing, this is voluntary and not a legal requirement for the nurse to enforce.