MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, describes a specific type of staph bacteria. Staph aureus, the most serious type of staph infection, is carried by up to 60 percent of people, have no symptoms themselves but can spread the infection to others, the Merck Manual says. MRSA is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, which includes all penicillin related antibiotics. MRSA often occurs in hospital settings, where it causes up to 14,000 deaths per year, a 2005 study found, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Hospital procedures attempt to prevent the spread of MRSA.
Handwashing
Good handwashing techniques prevent the transmission of MRSA from one patient to another via hospital personnel. Washing hands between patient contacts and any time the hands become visibly soiled decreases the risk of transmission by hospital personnel, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Wash hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, Mayoclinic.com advises. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol if handwashing facilities aren't available, the Mayo Clinic says. Many hospitals now have dispensers in each patient room near the door to be used before and after each patient contact.
Barrier Protection
Gowns and gloves prevent transmission of MRSA from infected patients to the clothing and skin of hospital personnel carrying out procedures that bring them into contact with potentially contaminated sources, such as wounds, blood or bodily fluids. Remove gowns and gloves before leaving the patient’s room to prevent spreading the bacteria outside the room. Visitors may also be required to wear gowns and gloves while in patients' rooms, according to the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. During patient transplant to other parts of the hospital, contain and cover infected areas.
Isolation
Isolation techniques for patients with MRSA range from assigning private rooms to restricting the patient from visiting common hospital areas such as cafeterias or gift shops, the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America says. If private rooms aren't available, placing MRSA patients together--a technique called cohorting--helps prevent spread of the bacteria. If this isn’t possible, place patients with MRSA with other patients with a low risk of contracting the infection and those whose hospital stay will be short, to minimize exposure, the CDC says.
Equipment Cleaning
Hospitals use disposable equipment as much as possible to prevent transmission of MRSA to another patient. Don't take equipment such as blood pressure machines from one room to another without thorough cleaning in-between patients. Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces such as bedrails and bathroom facilities at least once a day to reduce transmission, the CDC says.
