MRSA

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• QHow do I prevent getting or spreading MRSA?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  There are things you can do to help methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from spreading. Practicing good hygiene is a simple way people can reduce the spread of community associated MRSA. Not sharing items, keeping your body clean, and properly treating and isolating wounds can all help.

  In hospitals, people try to prevent MRSA infections by keeping people with MRSA in isolated units. Hospital staff who interact with susceptible patients should always wear face masks, gloves, and other protective materials.

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• QHow is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spread?

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  A Centerpoint Medical Center answered

  Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria, which lives on the skin of most people. MRSA is a variant of Staphylococcus aureus which is becoming more prevalent with each passing year. It also lives on skin and mucosal surfaces, such as in the nose or mouth. The most common way MRSA spreads is through skin-to-skin contact. MRSA can also live on the surface of objects that have been touched by someone who carries MRSA on their skin. Examples include counters, towels, clothing, and razors. The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is good hand-washing.

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• QWhat can I do to avoid infection while in the hospital?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  The most crucial tip you need to follow to prevent a hospital infection is one you've heard before. It's also one that's constantly ignored or forgotten. And it's one that the smartest patients take as seriously as monitoring the drugs they swallow and choosing the surgeons who try to repair them. It can be distilled to three clear words:
  
  Wash your hands.
  
  This order goes to everyone who may come in contact with you. They need to scrub their paws. Before touching you. Before touching your sheets, or your water cup, or your side table, or anything else that you could conceivably touch. If they're conscientious enough to put on new rubber gloves as well, that would be marvelous. But hand washing is mandatory.
  
  It's understandable that harried nurses and doctors occasionally forget to do this, but it's not acceptable. No hospital should have a room without a sink or an alcohol hand gel dispenser. No clinic or doctor's office either.
  
  Posting a sign in your room that says "Thanks very much for washing your hands" can help. This goes for all visitors, too. If you're able to get up, wash your hands with soap and water several times a day and after you touch each visitor.
  
  
• QHow is MRSA treated in critical care?

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  A Linda Martinez , Cardiac Rehabilitation, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  A critically ill person with a MRSA infection is placed in isolation. Anyone who enters must wear a gown or gloves, but not necessarily a mask. The patient is treated with antibiotics (often more than one antibiotic) that the bacteria is susceptible to.

• QHow is MRSA infection treated after surgery?

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  A Dr. Michael A. Zadeh, MD , Surgery, answered

  MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This is a bacterial organism that is resistant to most convential antibiotics. Treatment of infection with MRSA is long term antibiotics. The two most commonly used agents are Vancomycin and Linezolid (Zyvox).
• QWhy is MRSA an antibiotic resistant infection?

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  A Dr. Ronald G. Glass, DDS , Dentist, answered

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to methicillin (a broad-spectrum antibiotic), because it has a functioning gene (the mecA gene). This gene codes for substances that protect the bacteria from the effects of the antibiotic. In addition, studies have shown that often, MRSA are also resistant to a number of other commonly used antibiotics. This is what makes MRSA infections so difficult to treat. Antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA can be and should be determined in the laboratory as soon as the bacteria are identified as a S. aureus.  Dr. G.