MRSA in Hospitals

Hospitals (as well as nursing homes) have long had a MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) problem.

Historical Perspective of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

The development of resistance to antimicrobial agents is not new. Hospitals have long known about and monitored the resistance patterns of infection causing organisms. This is important information for them to know because the “hospital acquired” or nosocomial infection rate is something they must control to prevent the spread of MRSA among the patient population. Choices of antibiotics for hospital formularies are greatly influenced by this data.

The Present State of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

MRSA in Hospitals is under constant surveillance. Together, the Infection Control staff, Pharmacy and the Microbiology Laboratory monitor the incidence of MRSA infections on a monthly basis looking for cluster infections, reservoirs and other signs of potential problems. This monitoring is particularly important to prevent the unnecessary spread of methicillin and other multiply resistant organisms. One way MRSA is spreads in hospitals is by person-to-person contact. This underscores the importance of hand washing as healthcare staff moves from room to room and from patient-to-patient. The news reports focus primarily on this method of transmission. What is not often conveyed in news reports is that MRSA can also be transmitted through contaminated equipment. These transmission agents are called fomites (any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms). A contaminated environment can also be responsible for MRSA transmission.

The Future of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections will result in additional budgetary pressures on health care facilities. Hospitals have struggled with cost containment and reimbursement issues. Although hospital acquired MRSA has impacted the hospital budget, now they will also be worrying about the budgetary impact of these new community acquired MRSA infections and taking steps to protect themselves from these outbreaks. The reason for these worries is simple and quite concerning: Medicare plans to stop paying for hospital the patient days resulting from hospital acquired MRSA infections. As the cost associated with hospital acquired MRSA can be quite high, the promise of nonpayment for these extended stays will force the hospital to protect themselves from this additional reimbursement challenge. Patients entering a hospital for any procedure can expect to be cultured (swabbed) upon admission to check their MRSA infection state. This procedures will allow hospitals to not only isolate these patients to contain the organism, but also document the patient infection state so they can assure payment for procedures rendered.

What Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hospitals Means for the Patient

Patients vigilantly watch handwashing procedures as they are approached by hospital staff. Perhaps it would be wise to have your own MRSA status documented before entering a hospital to make sure you are not liable for the bills that may not be covered.

For more information on hospital acquired infections visit our web site.

Thank you

Martin R Meyer

For more information on MRSA and how to combat it check out MRSA

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MRSA: the Silent Killer – Are You at Risk?

* MRSA represents Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus Aureaus.

Most people have never heard of MRSA, but it is a very common germ, which belongs to the Staphylococcus aureus family. Totally harmless, this germ exists on the skin and in the nasal passages of about one-third of all people. Found mainly on broken skin, MRSA has the potential of becoming a life-threatening infection.

MRSA occurs most frequently among persons in healthcare facilities and hospitals. Furthermore, some patients are at higher risks for MRSA, such as: patients having prolonged hospital stays, patients enclosed in an ICU (intensive care unit) or burn unit, patients who’ve had recent surgery; and even those who’ve had minor hospital procedures such as urinary or intravenous catherization.

Purportedly, rough estimates of persons hospitalized each year for MRSA infections number as much as 100,000.

* Are you at risk for MRSA?

MRSA can be the key invader that causes abscesses; boils, pneumonia, bone infections, and can even contaminate cuts such as accidental wounds or surgical incisions made by catheters or other surgical procedures. Initially, MRSA is a local infection, but can rapidly introduce dangerous toxins into the body’s blood causing blood poisoning.

* How is MRSA Prevented?

Because MRSA is most commonly spread through skin contact, it can be widely contained by adhering to simple hygienic practices. Using proper hand washing and sufficient staff training can almost nearly eliminate the possibility of patients contracting MRSA. In addition, avoiding physical contact with other people’s wounds or contaminated wound material is helpful in preventing MRSA infection.

If you think you have a staph or MRSA infection, you should see your healthcare provider immediately. Delaying medical care can result in death.

As cited by the CDC, “MRSA is almost always spread by direct physical contact, and not through the air. Spread may also occur through indirect contact by touching objects (i.e., towels, sheets, wound dressings, clothes, workout areas, sports equipment) contaminated by the infected skin of a person with MRSA or staph bacteria.”

According to a report by the NewScientis.com news service, “…In the Netherlands, where meticulous hygiene and isolation procedures were consciously adopted, the MRSA rates have fallen drastically and the Dutch now rate among the best in Europe.”

* How is MRSA treated?

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), “…MRSA are susceptible to several antibiotics.” However, in recent times, certain strains of MRSA are resistant to often-used Vancomycin antibiotic.

In closing, MRSA is a preventable infection if good hygiene and isolation procedures are strictly observed. Having experienced MRSA first-hand with a close, family member, I have physically seen the life-threatening effects of this super-bug. On one hand, MRSA is a harmless germ, but on the other, it can render severe illness and even death. Speak to your healthcare providers about MRSA and ask what preventive measures are being taken to keep MRSA contained. The best way to prevent MRSA, is to be properly informed. Knowledge is key.

MRSA: the Silent Killer – Are You at Risk? © 2004 by C. Bailey-Lloyd

References:

1. CDC: [The Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA - cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/aresist/mrsafq.htm] MRSA – Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Fact Sheet

2. Health Protection Agency [London - hpa.org.uk] : Pamphlet – MRSA: Information for Patients (referred by Dr. Mark C. Enright, Senior Research Fellow, Royal Society University Research Fellow, (Univ. Biological Safety Officer), Dept. of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, United Kingdom]

3. New Scientist.com – Report: MRSA deaths up 15-fold in a decade, [newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994723]

C. Bailey-Lloyd is a professional writer of poetry books, poetry and informative articles on many subjects. More in-depth biographical information can be found at Somewhere Along the Beaten Path at MySpace.com.

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