Questions About MRSA?
There is currently tremendous local and national media interest regarding individuals infected with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Recently two Naperville students were diagnosed with this antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection; the latest in many cases reported nationwide including the MRSA-related death of a Virginia high school student. MRSA is a type of "staph" that is resistant to treatment with usual antibiotics.
Healthcare facilities use infection control measures to prevent spread of MRSA in the healthcare setting. Some of the most important and effective measures used are excellent hand hygiene practices, and isolation of patients who have MRSA.
MRSA can be found in community settings also. In the community, MRSA is usually associated with minor skin infections, but can also cause serious skin infections, pneumonia, or sepsis.
A person can "carry" MRSA on the skin or in the nose even after an infection has been treated, or even if the person has never had a MRSA infection. This is called colonization. Colonization with MRSA does not usually require treatment. However, good hand hygiene and disinfection practices in public or home settings are important ways to stop it from being spread.
An excellent primer on MRSA is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html. Below is additional information that may be helpful:
- In August, Illinois became the first state to require MRSA screening of ICU patients and other patients identified as high-risk by the hospital. Full information on the law's requirements may be found at www.ihatoday.org/issues/quality/infectionlaws.pdf.
- Many of the cases in the news have been community-acquired MRSA, which means they were likely infected outside the health care system. However, it is true that MRSA is usually contracted via the health care system.
- Illinois hospitals have continually been working to reduce infections through improving hygiene procedures, isolating infected patients, screening, and other measures recommended by infection control experts.
- IHA and about 170 Illinois hospitals are part of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Five Million Lives Campaign, which has MRSA reduction/elimination as one of its key areas of focus.
- Hospitals are dedicated to providing high quality patient care. With a firm commitment to patient safety and infection control, they are working to keep this insidious disease at bay.
Go to the following websites for additional MRSA information and resources.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html
http://www.idph.state.il.us/a-zlist.htm#mrsa
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/
