Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
For this assignment I have been asked to choose a pathogen, describe it and explain how the chain of infection can be broken. I have chosen Meticillen Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. As a support worker in theatres MRSA can cause significant problems for us and for patients, therefore we have to have each patient screened before we operate and we have certain standard precautions we need to follow before, during and after surgery.
Staphylococcus Aureus is a very common bacteria. Meticillen resistant staphylococcus aureus is a strain of this bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staphylococcal infections. Bacteria are single celled microbes that are found everywhere, every habitat has them and they are carried on every human and animal, some bacteria are good and some are bad. Good bacteria can help us digest food whereas bad bacteria are pathogens that make people unwell and can create unwanted symptoms (Microbiology Online, 2016). Staph bacteria can live harmlessly on the skin, 20-30% …show more content…
Before operating, when intubating, catheterising or positioning a patient, gloves should be worn if there is a chance in coming into contact with bodily fluids. If catheterising, an aseptic technique should be followed closely. Hands can be carriers of Meticillen resistant Staph bacteria and introducing them to an invasive device, such as a urinary catheter, can give the bacteria the opportunity it needs to infect the patient (Mangnall & Watterson, 2006). Hands must be decontaminated with soap and water and an apron should be adorned before carrying out such a procedure. During the procedure a sterile field should be maintained and afterwards the apron should be disposed of correctly into a yellow bin bag and hands must be decontaminated
For this assignment I have been asked to choose a pathogen, describe it and explain how the chain of infection can be broken. I have chosen Meticillen Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. As a support worker in theatres MRSA can cause significant problems for us and for patients, therefore we have to have each patient screened before we operate and we have certain standard precautions we need to follow before, during and after surgery.
Staphylococcus Aureus is a very common bacteria. Meticillen resistant staphylococcus aureus is a strain of this bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staphylococcal infections. Bacteria are single celled microbes that are found everywhere, every habitat has them and they are carried on every human and animal, some bacteria are good and some are bad. Good bacteria can help us digest food whereas bad bacteria are pathogens that make people unwell and can create unwanted symptoms (Microbiology Online, 2016). Staph bacteria can live harmlessly on the skin, 20-30% …show more content…
Before operating, when intubating, catheterising or positioning a patient, gloves should be worn if there is a chance in coming into contact with bodily fluids. If catheterising, an aseptic technique should be followed closely. Hands can be carriers of Meticillen resistant Staph bacteria and introducing them to an invasive device, such as a urinary catheter, can give the bacteria the opportunity it needs to infect the patient (Mangnall & Watterson, 2006). Hands must be decontaminated with soap and water and an apron should be adorned before carrying out such a procedure. During the procedure a sterile field should be maintained and afterwards the apron should be disposed of correctly into a yellow bin bag and hands must be decontaminated