First identified in the 1960’s, MRSA cases have continued to be on the rise.1 The problem with MRSA did not occur overnight and will not be solved overnight.2 Media attention and patient safety measures have led to great attempts at eliminating the presence of MRSA. 1(p77) MRSA is a worldwide issue and many different approaches have been tested to control its spread in the last several years.3 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common bacteria.4 Staphylococcus is responsible for one-third of all wound infections in hospitals.4(p378) This bacteria is carried by twenty to forty percent of people in their noses and in some cases their skin.4(p378) Thriving in warm, moist parts of the body, Staphylococcus aureus causes superficial skin infections.
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First of all washing hands before and after patient contact. According to Dr. Charlie Ficco, washing your hands is still the most single important thing you can do in terms of preventing MRSA.2(p14) Appropriately using gloves is another way MRSA is prevented. MRSA can be transferred from the infected patient to gloves.4(p380) Because this happens in seventeen percent of contacts, it is very important to remove the gloves and wash your hands after care.4(p380) Covering any cuts on the hands is a must for the prevention of MRSA. An important way MRSA is prevented is by prudent antibiotic prescribing.4(p381) Patient isolation and patient and/or staff decolonization can also prevent MRSA.8 Physically isolating the patient has two purposes: transmission is interrupted, and this isolation emphasizes that precautions are necessary.8(p120) A policy that hospitals use is MRSA screening, which involves screening patients that are admitted to see if they are colonized with MRSA.4(p379) A clean environment is an important part in preventing MRSA.8(p122) According to Widmer, guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend contact precautions and their strict enforcement by healthcare institutions to effectively reduce the spread of MRSA.3(p702) Ongoing education of healthcare workers is also extremely important to the prevention of MRSA.1(p78) Education of patients infected with MRSA is necessary for the patient to be aware of the seriousness of their condition. Dr. Ficco states that it may require frightening the patient in order to get them to follow their treatment. He says fear can be a powerful
First of all washing hands before and after patient contact. According to Dr. Charlie Ficco, washing your hands is still the most single important thing you can do in terms of preventing MRSA.2(p14) Appropriately using gloves is another way MRSA is prevented. MRSA can be transferred from the infected patient to gloves.4(p380) Because this happens in seventeen percent of contacts, it is very important to remove the gloves and wash your hands after care.4(p380) Covering any cuts on the hands is a must for the prevention of MRSA. An important way MRSA is prevented is by prudent antibiotic prescribing.4(p381) Patient isolation and patient and/or staff decolonization can also prevent MRSA.8 Physically isolating the patient has two purposes: transmission is interrupted, and this isolation emphasizes that precautions are necessary.8(p120) A policy that hospitals use is MRSA screening, which involves screening patients that are admitted to see if they are colonized with MRSA.4(p379) A clean environment is an important part in preventing MRSA.8(p122) According to Widmer, guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend contact precautions and their strict enforcement by healthcare institutions to effectively reduce the spread of MRSA.3(p702) Ongoing education of healthcare workers is also extremely important to the prevention of MRSA.1(p78) Education of patients infected with MRSA is necessary for the patient to be aware of the seriousness of their condition. Dr. Ficco states that it may require frightening the patient in order to get them to follow their treatment. He says fear can be a powerful