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Answers to commonly asked questions about preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections.
The rise in community-acquired infections, as well as the recently published article in the Journal of the Americian Medical Association (JAMA) and subsequent media coverage has raised awareness of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our community. At Meridian Health, we feel it’s important for our community to have the facts about MRSA.
At Our Hospitals
At Meridian hospitals, the safety of our patients and visitors is always our top priority, and as such we take an aggressive approach to the monitoring and control of infections of all kinds, including MRSA.
While there has been increased media attention on MRSA infections, there is still a large amount of debate among the nation’s infectious disease experts on the best approach to monitor and prevent transmission of this bacterium. At Meridian, we have been actively analyzing the issue for several years to develop the most effective approaches to protect our patients.
At Meridian, we utilize aggressive monitoring procedures, focused largely on the seriously-ill patients, such as patients in our intensive care units who are most vulnerable to serious complications form a MRSA infection. Through appropriate patient isolation and universally-recognized infection control strategies, our surveillance and control measures work to prevent, quickly identify, and then control the infection to limit the spread of the disease.
Even with diligent efforts, MRSA remains a serious issue for hospitals across the nation. In New Jersey, the legislature recently passed a bill that may standardize all hospitals’ monitoring of such infections. We agree with the State on this strategy, and are anxiously awaiting the final recommendations on how hospitals will be asked to proceed with this mandate.
MRSA Facts
What type of infections does MRSA cause?
- In the community most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).
- Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.
How is MRSA transmitted?
- MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).
In what settings do MRSA skin infections occur?
- MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere.
- Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted.
- These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are as follows: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness.
- Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers.
How do I Protect Myself?
One of the most simple, yet effective ways to prevent the spread of MRSA, both in the hospital and in the community remains proper hygiene and hand washing, including:
- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alchohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
- Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
- Avoid sharing personal items suchas as towels or razors.
- Usa a bearrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches.
I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?
- Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph, including MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
- Clean your hands frequently. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
- Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.
For Patients in the Hospital
Patients who are seriously-ill, who have been in a hospital for a long time, have underlying health issues, are on dialysis, or those who use IV drugs are most vulnerable to acquiring MRSA.
Special precautions are taken with patients who test positive for MRSA, including possibly being placed in isolation.
Visitors of patients with MRSA receive special directions to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Advice for School Health Personnel
Students with skin infections may need to be referred to a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. School health personnel should notify parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
Use standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene before and after contact, wearing gloves) when caring for nonintact skin or potential infections.
Use barriers such as gowns, masks and eye protection if splashing of body fluids is anticipated.
Learning More From the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
MRSA in Healthcare Settings
MRSA in the Community
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