MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus They are referred to simply as "staph" They are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people can cause an infection for example: minor infection: pimples and boils serious infections: such as surgical wound infections and pneumonia

Why it is called MRSA? In the past, most serious staph bacteria infections were treated with a certain type of antibiotic related to penicillin. Over the past 50 years, treatment of these infections has become more difficult because staph bacteria have become resistant to various antibiotics, including the commonly used penicillin-related antibiotics . These resistant bacteria are called Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA

What is MRSA? It is a germ that can cause an infection It is resistant to most antibiotics Many healthy people carry MRSA, but it may cause an infection in those with weakened defenses It is hard to stamp out once it is present People can "carry" this particular germ for a long time

What can MRSA cause? skin infections bone infections Pneumonia severe life-threatening bloodstream infections

Who is at risk to get MRSA? Patients who have prolonged or repeated hospital stays Patients who have invasive devices or procedures, including surgery Patients who have treatment with lots of antibiotics: Antibiotics reduce the number of helpful bacteria in the body Without a supply of these bacteria, the body has a harder time fighting off infection Patients who are hospitalized and: elderly very sick have an open wound (such as a bedsore) have a tube going into their body (such as a urinary catheter or intravenous catheter) Patients spending time close to other patients: with MRSA carrying MRSA in the nose without developing illness

Incidence MRSA occurs more commonly among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities In 100,000 persons are hospitalized each year with MRSA infections: A small proportion of these persons have disease onset occurring in the community Approximately 25 to 30% of the population is colonized in the nose with staph bacteria at a given time The numbers who are colonized with MRSA at any one time is not known

How are MRSA spread? close contact with infected people direct physical contact not through the air indirect contact by touching objects contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA : Towels Sheets wound dressings Clothes workout areas sports equipment

Contact precaution Contact Precautions are used when taking care of patients who have MRSA: A private room to prevent contact with others Items and surfaces are routinely cleaned and disinfected Gloves are worn to prevent contamination of the hands of healthcare workers Gowns are worn if there will be contact of body fluids Contact Precautions used in the hospital reduce the risk of spreading MRSA to other patients

Hand washing

Discharge the patient At home it is important: to practice good hand washing carefully handle soiled items that contain body fluids Hand washing before and after any activities such as changing bandages or blowing/touching the nose is important

How can I prevent MRSA infections? Practice good hygiene: Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (e.g., bandage) until healed Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or material contaminated from wounds

HOW IS MRSA TRANSMITTED? MRSA is transmitted primarily by contact with: infected persons colonized persons

COLONIZATION" VERSUS "INFECTION the bacteria are multiplying and the body is trying to defend against them Colonization: Different kinds of bacteria normally live in the body without causing an infection

Are MRSA infections treatable? Yes Most staph bacteria and MRSA are susceptible to several antibiotics Most staph skin infections can be treated without antibiotics by draining the sore If antibiotics are prescribed, patients should complete the full course Patients who are only colonized with staph bacteria or MRSA usually do not need treatment

Treatment To fight the MRSA infection follow the doctor's order infection control instructions give all medications as prescribed

Treatment Bactroban nasally drug of choice Indication: eradication of nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant S. aureus Dosage: BID nasally for 5 days Adverse events: headache (9%) rhinitis (6%) respiratory disorder (including upper respiratory tract congestion) (5%) pharyngitis (4%) taste perversion (3%)