The Ugly face of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) MRSA is a staph aureus infection that has become resistant to the class of antibiotics, such as Methicillin frequently used to treat staph infections.

MRSA is “Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is “Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Is a bacteria that is resistant to a synthetic penicillin- methicillin. Is a bacteria that is resistant to a synthetic penicillin- methicillin. MRSA causes a variety of disseminated, lethal infections in humans. MRSA causes a variety of disseminated, lethal infections in humans. Has the ability to easily transfer resistant genes to other species directly and indirectly Has the ability to easily transfer resistant genes to other species directly and indirectly Overuse of antibiotics imposes selective pressures which mediates the acquisition of resistance Overuse of antibiotics imposes selective pressures which mediates the acquisition of resistance

The term Staphylococcus is derived from the Greek expression staphyle (bunch of grapes). The term aureus was named due to the organisms golden appearance when viewed under the microscope

Objectives Upon completion of this program, the home health aide (HHA) and Nurse Aide will be able to: Define a homecare-associated infection and hospital acquired infection Understand the seriousness of an methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) infection Identify patients at risk for MRSA/VRE infection Identify signs and symptoms of infection Implement MRSA/VRE precautions

Facts About MRSA There are two types of MRSA; Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) refers to MRSA acquired in the community. Hospital acquired MRSA refers to an MRSA infection that a patient acquires while in the hospital. Staph aureus bacteria are commonly carried on the skin or in the noses of healthy people. MRSA frequently lives harmlessly on skin surfaces of the mouth, genitalia and rectum.

First recognized in 1961 one year after antibiotic Methicillin was introduced for treating S. Aureus infections „„Occurs most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities

Community-acquired Methicillin--resistant Staphylococcus aureus „„MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedure „„About 85% of infections from CA--MRSA are NOT invasive and will NOT require hospitalization HA--MRSA which is MRSA acquired in the hospital or health care setting is a different strain and more serious than MRSA acquired in the community „„

Staphylococci can survive many extreme environmental conditions. The bacteria can be cultured from dried clinical material after several months, are relatively heat resistant, and can tolerate high salt media. One of the most common One of the most common causes of skin infections in the causes of skin infections in the US.

MRSA infections often present as mild skin or soft tissue infections, such as an abscess or boil that occurs spontaneously and may evolve to include multiple lesions. People with MRSA skin infections commonly complain of “an infected pimple,” “an insect bite,” “a spider bite,” or “a sore.”

MRSA is, quite simply, spread through contact, most commonly through person-to-person contact. This can be physical contact with someone who is infected or who is a carrier. It can also be passed by physical contact with objects like bed linens, medical equipment, and bathroom fixtures that have been touched by a MRSA-infected person.

In the healthcare field, spread of MRSA mainly occurs through hands of healthcare workers from one patient to another when hand hygiene has not been done properly or when medical equipment has not been properly disinfected.

Redness „„ Warmth „„ Swelling „„ Tenderness of the skin „„ Boils „„ Blisters „„ May have pus or other drainage

Microbiology of Purulent SSTIs Moran NEJM 2006; 355:

Standard and contact precautions are used with MRSA precautions. Correct hand hygiene and glove use before, during, and after care is of critical importance.

Adequate hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective infection control measure for preventing and containing MRSA infections.