To help patients, visitors and public understand
more about MRSA Screening we have produced a leaflet see
below). This is what the
leaflet
says:
You may
have read about MRSA in
newspapers. It is sometimes
called a
'superbug'. This leaflet
explains more
about
MRSA.
WHAT IS MRSA?
We all carry
bacteria on and in our bodies. MRSA (Meticillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus) is a bacteria which can cause infections.
About three percent of us are carriers of MRSA. This is called
colonisation and means it lives harmlessly on our skin and in our
noses when we are healthy. There's no way of knowing if you are a
carrier as there are no symptoms. It is not normally dangerous to
the general public or people in their own homes but it can affect
those who are ill.
Commonly MRSA
causes boils, infected wounds, abscesses, bloodstream infection,
chest infection and urine infection.
MRSA has become
resistant to some antibiotics. There are two reasons this
happens:
• a course of
antibiotics is not finished as prescribed
• antibiotics are
overused allowing the bacteria to develop a
resistance.
WHY IS MRSA SO WIDESPREAD NOW?
Although MRSA has
been around since the 1960s there are a number of reasons it has
become more
widespread. These
include:
• infections may
have gone undiagnosed in previous years
• older people in
our society are getting illnesses connected to long-term health
problems which require antibiotics
• we treat
illnesses, such as tonsillitis, with antibiotics, when given time
the body can usually heal itself
• the bugs are
becoming harder to treat with antibiotics as they find ways to
resist medicine.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET MRSA?
MRSA usually
spreads from person to person when it can enter the body through a
wound or break in the
skin (ie where an
intravenous drip is inserted). Those that carry MRSA
can:
• infect
themselves by touching the drips or breaks in the
skin
• pass it on to
others by touching a wound or by handling equipment around
them.
MRSA can also be spread
by:
• people coming
into direct contact with carriers or those diagnosed with
MRSA
• through
indirect contact with individuals who have not washed their
hands
• via indirect
contact with a care environment that has not been properly
cleaned.
It is important
that our hospitals are kept clean and staff are working hard to
make sure that happens. However,we should all have clean hands
regardless of whether in hospital or not.
IS MRSA TREATABLE?
Yes. If you are found to be
a carrier, decolonisation treatment for MRSA includes
antiseptic shampoo, powder and cream to help reduce or remove MRSA
from hair, skin and nostrils.
Those who are
infected with MRSA will be prescribed antibiotics from a doctor,
which must be taken as directed. Treatment can take place in
hospital or at home, a residential or care home.
MRSA SCREENING
• MRSA screening
is not new. Many hospitals have been screening patients who
are identified as high risk for a number of years
• There is a
national move to extend MRSA screening to more patients
• Screening for
MRSA will help us to take additional measures to ensure that people
who visit us do not develop a problem with MRSA
• From now on you
may be routinely screened either before or on admission to
hospital
• Screening for
MRSA helps healthcare staff provide you with the appropriate
treatment to reduce the risk of infection
• If you are
found to have MRSA, a healthcare professional can decide the
most appropriate plan for your care
• Not all
patients with MRSA will need to be treated. This is because MRSA
can live harmlessly on the skin of some people
• MRSA screening
consists of a test by taking swab from your nose and, in some
cases, other areas as well
• If you decide
that you don’t want to be screened you will have chance to discuss
this prior to your test.
IF I HAVE MRSA HOW CAN I PROTECT THOSE AROUND
ME?
If you're
in hospital
• Bring in your
own toiletries. Do not share
• Make regular
and thorough hand washing part of your daily routine
especially:
- before eating
or handling food
- after using the
toilet / commode
- after blowing
your nose, coughing or sneezing
- after handling
rubbish
- when hands look
or feel dirty
• Keep your
bedside table free from clutter. This makes cleaning
easier
• Report anything
that doesn't look clean.
If you're
receiving visitors
• Ask them to
adhere to guidelines on how many visitors are expected at one
time
• Make sure they
wash their hands and use the cleansing gel / hand rub before and
after
they
enter a ward
• Make sure they
check with the nurse if they wish to bring in food or
flowers
• Limit clutter
and gifts - the less presents, food and magazines the easier it is
to clean.
At
home
• If you're
taking antibiotics make sure you finish the course even if you
feel better
• Tell friends
and family not to visit if they have immunity problems
• Make sure you,
your visitors and carers wash their hands
- after using the
toilet / changing nappies
- after touching
animals or animal waste
- after handling
rubbish
- before and
after preparing food and drinks
- after blowing
your nose, coughing or sneezing
- when hands look
or feel dirty
• If you're
having wounds dressed at home, keep pets away
• It's a good
idea to wash clothing / bedding separately from the rest of
the family's at the highest temperature the fabric will
allow. Normal soap powder is fine.
IT'S OK TO ASK
If you have any
concerns about cleanliness, MRSA and how it is treated, and MRSA
screening ask a healthcare professional, they can help put your
mind at rest.
Don't be
frightened to ask your carers if they've washed their hands. They
will expect it and by doing so you will be helping to control
infection.
