About MRSA

What is MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nostrils of healthy people.

If it gets into the body, it can cause an
infection. This infection can be minor causing pimples, boils and other skin conditions.

Occasionally it causes more serious infections such as blood infections or pneumonia.

Some strains of Staphylococcus Aureus have become resistant to antibiotics used to treat common Staphylococcus Aureus infections such as Methicillin (flucloxacillin). If this happens, the infection is called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

MRSA - Colonisation or Infection?

MRSA colonisation: The MRSA is on or in the body without causing illness.

MRSA infection: The MRSA is causing a medical problem.

Who is most at risk from MRSA infection?

People who:

are elderly
are very sick
have an open wound (such as a bed- sore)
have an ‘invasive device’ going into their body such as a urinary catheter.

Healthy people rarely get MRSA infections.

Is MRSA treatable?

Yes, MRSA is treatable. A few antibiotics can still successfully cure MRSA infections.

When in hospital, MRSA Colonisation is usually treated with topical antibiotics such as nasal cream and antibacterial soap. This is to remove or reduce the number of bacteria on the skin so reducing the risk of it developing into an MRSA infection.

How is MRSA spread?

The most common way that MRSA is spread from one person to another is by contact or touch with people who are carrying MRSA on their hands.

Good hand hygiene can prevent the spread of MRSA.

What happens if I have MRSA?

Health care workers will wear gloves and aprons for close contact with you. They will remove them before leaving the room. They will then wash their hands or clean them with alcohol hand rub.

Can I still have visitors?

Yes. Healthy people, including children and pregnant women, are at very little risk from MRSA infection. Physical contact such as touching or hugging is okay.

Visitors who are ill or have weak immune systems should limit their physical contact to no more than casual touching. They should avoid contact with ‘body substances’ of anyone with MRSA.

Visitors should always clean their hands thoroughly before leaving the room.

Will having MRSA affect my discharge from hospital?

No. As soon as you are well enough, you can be discharged without further treatment or delay. If you have started a treatment for MRSA in hospital, you may need to complete it at home.

Do I need to tell anyone if I’ve had MRSA

Yes. If you need to return to this hospital, or attend another hospital, please say that you have had MRSA.

The staff may do some tests to check if you still have MRSA on your skin and start treatment if needed. This will help reduce the risk of you getting an MRSA infection in the future.

MRSA Decolonisation therapy

A recently taken swab has shown that you have the MRSA bacteria present.

This does not necessarily mean that you have an infection or that it is going to cause you any harm. However, the chance of the bacteria getting into your body and possibly causing an infection are increased.

Therefore we advise that as a precaution you receive treatment to reduce and possibly remove the MRSA bacteria from your body.
This is called decolonisation therapy.

It involves using a body wash: (Octenisan or Hibiscrub 4% Aqueous Chlorhexidene ) and nasal ointment (Bactroban) for 5 days in a row.

You are also asked, where possible, to change your bed linen and clothing every day during this 5 day period.

This is because skin cells which may be carrying MRSA are shed continuously and collect in clothing and bed linen.