Transcript MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Staphylococcus aureus • • • They are referred to simply as "staph" They are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or.

MRSA
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
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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:
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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:
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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 :
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Towels
Sheets
wound dressings
Clothes
workout areas
sports equipment
Contact precaution
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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
Colonization:
Different kinds of bacteria
normally live in the body without
causing an infection
Infection:
the bacteria are multiplying and
the body is trying to defend
against them
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
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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
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Adverse events:
headache (9%)
rhinitis (6%)
respiratory disorder (including upper respiratory tract congestion) (5%)
pharyngitis (4%)
taste perversion (3%)