4 Ways To Prevent The Spread of MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection caused by a type of Staphylococcus, or staph, bacteria. It can be resistant to some antibiotics typically used to prevent infections. MRSA is usually found more often in healthcare facilities, and it especially is found in patients with a compromised immune system due to a recent illness or other health condition. Other patients at high risk for MRSA are those who have been treated with antibiotics, are nursing wounds, or are using invasive medical devices, such as catheters.2
Below are four ways healthcare facilities can reduce the spread of MRSA infections:
Hand Hygiene
In order to correctly clean hands, first wash with soap and water and then dry completely with paper hand towels. Always finish by applying hand sanitizer. Be sure to go through this process immediately after there has been contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items, whether or not gloves were worn.
Gloving
Whenever it can be reasonably believed that staff will come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or potentially contaminated intact skin, staff should wear disposable gloves. Be sure to discard gloves after contact with a patient or the surrounding environment and practice the hand hygiene etiquette outlined above.
Mouth, nose, eye protection
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures that could involve splashes or sprays of blood or other bodily fluids. Using masks, goggles, face shields, and combinations of each will depend on the specific procedure.
Appropriate handling of laundry
Contain, transport, and process used linens, clothes, and other laundry to avoid the spread of infection via air, surfaces, patients, and staff.¹
1 (2016, March). "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Precautions to Prevent Spread of MRSA". Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/clinicians/precautions.html.
2 (2016, April). "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Information for patients". Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/patient/index.html#a1.
