NOSOCOMIAL ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT ORGANISMS MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus VRE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus

MRSA Resistant to most antibiotics Found in health care facilities hospitals long term care facilities other care facilities Not a threat to healthy people

Why should YOU be concerned about MRSA? Difficult to contain Easily spread Hard to treat

Risk factors for MRSA infection Surgery Devices used in invasive procedures ICU or burn ward Age Treatment with multiple antibiotics Severe illness or disability Prolonged or repeated hospital stays Compromised immune system

How is MRSA spread? Direct contact between health-care workers and clients. Colonized vs. infected persons Health-care workers are the MAIN carriers. NOT usually spread through the air

How do I detect an infection of MRSA? Symptoms: drainage from a wound Fever and chills increased white blood cell count

Common sites of infection Respiratory tract Surgical wounds Perineum or rectum Skin

How to stop the spread of MRSA Proper hand-washing: Before caring for each client After removing gloves Before leaving the client’s room

VRE Hard to treat Some forms of VRE pass on their drug-resistant genes!

Risk factors for VRE infection Severe illness Treatment with multiple antibiotics Abdominal or cardiac surgery Devices used in invasive procedures Age ICU Prolonged or repeated hospital stays

How does a VRE infection develop? Opportunistic Bacteria transmitted between clients and healthcare workers colonized vs. infected persons

Signs of VRE infection Drainage from a wound Fever and chills Increased white blood cell count

Handwashing prevents spread of VRE Wash hands before patient care Wash hands after removing gloves Wash hands BEFORE leaving the patient’s room.

MRSA AND VRE All healthcare workers play a role in preventing the spread of these nosocomial infections. REMEMBER-WASH YOUR HANDS