MRSA Patient Information Leaflet - Royal National Hospital for ...

Patient Information Leaflet
MRSA
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Image Copyright - 2004 The Training Foundation Ltd.
March 2011
Infection Control Team
Review date, March 2014
What is MRSA?
M = Methicillin, an antibiotic commonly used in laboratories to test
for bacterial resistance.
R = Resistant.
SA = Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium (or germ) which may be
found on our hair, skin and in our nostrils in one third of the
population.
Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have developed
resistance to methicillin and can no longer be killed by this and
some other antibiotics. These resistant bacteria are called
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Is MRSA a hospital bug?
MRSA is often found in hospitals because this is where many
antibiotics are in use. However, it is also found outside hospitals
and sometimes patients admitted to hospital already have MRSA.
When can it harm me?
Although it often does no harm, occasionally, staphylococcal
bacteria can get into the body and cause an infection. This
infection can be minor (such as pimples, boils, and other skin
conditions) or serious (such as blood infections or pneumonia).
MRSA infection usually develops in people who are elderly or
very sick, or who have an open wound (such as a bedsore) or a
tube (such as a urinary catheter) going into their body. Healthy
people rarely get MRSA infections. MRSA is no more dangerous
than other varieties of Staphylococcus aureus.
I read a lot in the papers about ‘super-bugs’. Am I right to
worry?
No, the media do sometimes use the term ‘super-bugs’ to
describe various micro-organisms, including MRSA. Although
MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics and often difficult to treat,
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antibiotics can still successfully cure most MRSA infections.
Patients who are only colonised (see below) with MRSA usually
do not need antibiotic treatment. MRSA is not the same as the
“flesh eating bug” that is sometimes mentioned in the media.
Please note that the RNHRD has an excellent track record in
infection control and prevention and has some of the lowest rates
of MRSA in the country. We appreciate your assistance in
helping us to maintain these high standards.
What is the difference between colonisation and infection?
Colonisation means that MRSA is present on or in the body
without causing illness. Infection means that MRSA is causing a
medical problem. Sometimes colonised patients can go on to
develop MRSA infection, especially if they are very sick or have
weak immune systems.
Can MRSA spread?
Yes. Like any infection MRSA can spread among other patients,
who are often very sick with weak immune systems that may not
be able to fight off infections. MRSA is usually spread by physical
contact. Hospitals take special steps to prevent the spread of
MRSA from patient to patient. One of these steps may be to
separate, or isolate, a patient with MRSA from other patients.
Risk assessments are made and the risk will vary from ward to
ward and from patient to patient.
Screening for MRSA before your treatment at the RNHRD.
To help in the fight against hospital acquired infections it is now a
requirement by the Department of Health for all hospitals to
screen every patient for MRSA before they are either admitted,
or come to hospital for a day-case appointment. The screening
process is simple and painless and will be carried out either at
your GP surgery, or by a nurse in the outpatient department at
the hospital where you are being treated. It will be made clear to
you prior to your treatment where and when you will be
screened. On confirmation of a clear result treatment at the
hospital will begin as planned. Should your result come back
positive you will be given treatment to clear the MRSA. Please
note that if your treatment is an emergency you will come straight
to the hospital and will be screened by a nurse on admission.
What happens if you have MRSA?
‣ Staff who touch your wound or have close contact (such as
lifting) will wear an apron and gloves to prevent them
carrying the germ to other patients.
‣ You should still be able to get the daily papers, use the
radio and maybe the television. Please see the nurses.
‣ Do not leave your room or bay unnecessarily but this should
not stop you having surgery, physiotherapy or home visits if
you need them.
‣ You can use your own toiletries, e.g., makeup and creams.
Personal clothing does not need any special treatment.
Getting Rid of MRSA
You may be asked to use some topical treatments to help get rid of
MRSA. Usually the following treatments are prescribed for five
days:
‣ A daily wash or bath in a medicated lotion (Skinsan). For
Skinsan solution to be effective it needs to be applied neat
to wet skin and rubbed all over the body for about a minute.
If possible your hair should also be washed with Skinsan.
Ideally you should use a clean towel to dry yourself and put
clean clothes on afterwards.
‣ You will also be asked to put a medicated talcum powder,
such as CX powder, under your arms and around your
groins after your wash.
Because MRSA is often found in the nose you will also have an
antibiotic ointment (Bactroban Nasal Ointment) to apply to your
nostrils three times a day. Place a small amount of the ointment
about the size of a match head on the little finger and apply it to
the inside of each nostril.
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Close the nostrils by pressing the sides of the nose together;
this will help spread out the ointment. You could use a cotton
bud instead of the little finger for the application.
Please mention if you have dry or sensitive skin, are pregnant or
are breastfeeding as sometimes different treatments will be more
appropriate for you. In rare cases you may also need further
antibiotic treatment in the form of tablets or injections.
Is it safe to be in the same room as a person with MRSA?
Healthy people are at very little risk of being affected by MRSA. It
is safe for healthy family members or other visitors to be in the
same room with a person with MRSA. Physical contact, such as
touching or hugging, is okay. There is a very small risk that those
who are well may carry MRSA. Therefore all staff and visitors to
your room should use alcohol hand rub or wash their hands
thoroughly before entering and leaving. Any open wounds or cuts
should be covered with a plaster. Alcohol hand rub is provided
outside patient rooms and on the wards to clean the hands.
People who are very ill or who have weak immune systems
should avoid handling the body substances of a person with
MRSA and should limit their physical contact to no more than
casual touching. They should also wash their hands after
physical contact with a person with MRSA.
Can my children get MRSA by being around a person with
MRSA?
Healthy people, including children and pregnant women, are at
very little risk of getting infected with MRSA.
Can MRSA affect future admissions or any planned future
operations?
If you are readmitted to hospital, swabs will be taken to see if the
MRSA is still present. Once clear, treatment will commence as
appropriate.
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Will it affect my discharge?
No it will not. As soon as you are well enough, you can be
discharged to your own home or to a nursing or residential home
without any further treatment or delay. If you have commenced
the MRSA treatments please carry on until the 5 day course is
completed and then stop. If you are at home you can socialise
and shop etc. as usual.
Where can I find further information on MRSA?
Further detailed information on MRSA is available on the Public
Health Laboratory Service Web Site.
http://www.phls.org.uk/topics_az/staphylo/menu.htm
If you require further information specifically on your MRSA and its
treatment please ask your healthcare team.
Infection Control Team can be contacted at
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RL
Tel: 01225 465941
Please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on
01225 473424 if you would like this information in different format.
We value your feedback.
Your comments, suggestions, praise and complaints will
help us to improve the standard of our services.
Please contact PALS to feedback your views on the hospital
Tel: 01225 473424 or email PALS@rnhrd.nhs.uk
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