Holy Cross Health Recognized for Zero Reported Hospital-Onset MRSA Bloodstream Infections

Holy Cross Health is one of a select group of U.S. hospitals to be recognized in the Healthcare Associated Infections-Hospital database for reporting zero hospital-onset Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections. The database relies on publicly reported data collected through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) National Healthcare Safety Network from July 2024 through June 2025.

This recognition reflects Holy Cross Health's commitment to patient safety and the comprehensive infection prevention practices embedded throughout the organization. Preventing hospital-onset infections requires ongoing collaboration among Infection Prevention and Control, Nursing, Environmental Services, physicians, clinical teams and hospital leadership.

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"This achievement is a testament to our culture of providing the highest quality care and keeping our patients safe. Every team member plays a vital role in making this possible," said Reina Balmes, MSN, RN, CIC, Infection Control Manager at Holy Cross Health.

Hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infections are among the most serious health care-associated infections because the bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it challenging to treat and resolve. Untreated MRSA can be fatal or lead to sepsis. Signs of MRSA include a skin infection or bump that is red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, full of puss or other fluid, and/or accompanied by a fever.

Achieving zero reported cases during the reporting period demonstrates the effectiveness of evidence-based strategies focused on reducing infection risks and protecting patients throughout their hospital stay.

"Holy Cross Health is deeply committed to promoting the safest possible environment for our patients by paying diligent attention to all the best practices and recommendations that have been implemented by our infection control team," said Margaret Gorensek, MD, infectious disease physician and Infection Prevention and Control Committee Chair at Holy Cross Health. "Every person plays a key role in helping achieve the lowest infection rates possible. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as Chairman of Infection Control in an environment where leadership and the entire health care team understand and support our efforts to prevent infections and to keep our patients safe."

The Infection Prevention and Control team works closely with frontline caregivers and support teams to implement and monitor key prevention measures, including rigorous hand hygiene practices, environmental cleaning and disinfection, adherence to isolation precautions, surveillance and early identification of multidrug-resistant organisms, central line infection prevention practices, staff education, antimicrobial stewardship collaboration and continuous performance monitoring to promote patient safety and reduce health care-associated infections.

"Our patients rely on us for safety, protection and healing," said Pierre Monice, MBA, FACHE, President and CEO of Holy Cross Health. "Being able to report we have zero hospital-onset MRSA cases is a significant accomplishment we are extremely proud of. It provides patients and their families with comfort and is another example of Holy Cross Health's commitment to delivering the highest quality care."

ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH

A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy for more than 70 years. Holy Cross Health earned High Performing ratings for five Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report's 2026-2027 Best Hospital rankings; received the American Heart Association's Commitment to Quality award for achieving high performance across three or more clinical areas in the Get With The Guidelines® program for two years running in 2025 and 2026; received "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer" designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2026 Healthcare Equality Index; and received four out of five stars in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for two consecutive years in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, Holy Cross Wound Healing and Hyperbarics program earned the 2025 Center of Distinction award by Healogics®, Physicians Outpatient Surgery Center at Holy Cross HealthPlex landed a spot on Newsweek's list of America's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2025 and Holy Cross Health Foundation is designated as a High Performer from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Holy Cross Health was also named among the 2024 America's Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek and selected as a Forbes America's Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals in 2025. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a patient-centered, transformative and healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as the community's trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also includes the new Holy Cross Health Center & Emergency Care — Deerfield Beach, which opened in May 2026; Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility; The Holy Cross Health Family Health Center in Oakland Park; urgent care centers; and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group offices, a multi-specialty physician-employed group of 200+ physicians providing services throughout Broward County. Holy Cross Health Center & Emergency Care – Fort Lauderdale at Sunrise is currently under construction and is expected to open in August 2027. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com, and connect with them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.