Download MRSA - NASHiCS

MRSA
Community Infection Control Nurses
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland
PCT’s
Health Protection Agency Nurses
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland
Social Care Providers
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Rutland
2006
Methicillin
Resistant
Staphylococcus
Aureus
What is MRSA?
• MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
aureus) is a strain of bacteria that is
resistant to common antibiotics, including
methicillin.
• It can cause boils, abscesses and impetigo
plus osteomyelitis and septicaemia
MRSA – The Facts
• MRSA is found today in both the
community and hospital settings.
- Most residents with MRSA do
not become ill
- MRSA is rarely a danger to the
general public
Colonisation verses Infection
Colonisation is
the presence and multiplication of
bacteria on the body without causing harm to
the health of that person
Infection is
the invasion of a person’s body tissues by
harmful and opportunistic organisms causing
clinical signs of infection to that person
How is MRSA Diagnosed?
The only way to tell if someone has MRSA is
to take a swab.
It is not recommended that persons in
residential care are treated, or sampled
repeatedly, in an attempt to rid them of
colonisation.
Extracted from: Infection Control Guidance for Care Homes (DoH
2006)
Treatment of MRSA
Occasionally treatment of colonisation is
recommended if a resident is to undergo
surgery, but this should be discussed directly
the with Infection Control Team at the
hospital concerned.
Infection Control Guidance for Care Homes (DoH 2006)
How is MRSA Spread
From one person to another by direct
contact usually:
- On the hands of healthcare workers
- Contaminated equipment (e.g. towels,
hoists)
- Contaminated environment
Good hand hygiene and the use of standard
precautions will help to minimise the spread
in a community setting.
The single most important measure in
preventing the spread of MRSA as with
other Healthcare Associated Infections is:
Effective Hand Decontamination
Standard Infection Control
Precautions
• Always maintain hand hygiene
– Before and after contact with the
resident
– After handling body fluids and items
contaminated with body fluids
– After removing gloves and aprons
– Before handling invasive devices (e.g.
catheters)
• Liquid soap and water is usually adequate
but alcohol hand rubs/gels can be used if
hands are visibly clean
Standard Infection Control
Precautions
• Maintain a clean environment
– There should be a clear plan stating
what is to be cleaned and how often it
should be clean.
– Any blood or body fluid spillage should
be dealt with immediately according to
standard infection control procedures.
Standard Infection Control
Precautions
• No additional cleaning requirement are
necessary when residents are known to be
colonised with MRSA
– Use disposable gloves and aprons when
handling blood or body fluids
• Dispose of waste safely - double bagged as
domestic waste
Standard Infection Control
Precautions
• Linen should be removed from a resident’s
bed with care to avoid the creation of dust.
• All linen, including personal linen, should be
placed directly into a linen bag and not on
the floor.
• Linen should be washed on the hottest
temperature the fabric will allow.
Standard Infection Control
Precautions
• Gloves and plastic aprons should be worn if
handling linen soiled with blood or body
fluids
• Hands should be decontaminated after
removal of gloves and aprons and/or after
handling used linen.
Manual soaking/sluicing must never be
carried out.
Treatment of MRSA
Residents with MRSA may:
– Socialise with others, eat and drink with
others as long as their wounds or open sores
are covered with the appropriate dressing
– Receive visitors and go out of the home to see
family and friends
– Share a room with another person who does
not have open sores, wounds, urinary
catheters or have IV cannulaes
Risks to Staff
• Staff have healthy immune systems so the
risks to staff are minimal
• Staff with broken skin should cover
wounds with a waterproof dressing to
prevent any further risk
• Effective hand hygiene will reduce the risk
of acquiring any infection not just MRSA
Any Questions