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Okanogan Douglas Hospital Shares Information About MRSA
The new “buzz word” in the medical world and on the streets these days is MRSA – the notorious new “superbug”.
What is MRSA?MRSA is short for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. It is a bacteria that has learned how to fight back against antibiotics in the penicillin “family”. Staph is a bacteria which exists commonly in the environment and can also be found in the nose and skin of healthy people. It is usually harmless but it can become resistant and sometimes causes minor illnesses such as pimples and boils. Sometimes it can cause more serious illnesses like pneumonia, infections of the blood stream, or surgical site infections.
Who Gets MRSA?
Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph Infection if they have:
● Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
● Openings in their skin such as cuts or scrapes
● Contact with personal items that have Staph on them such as towels,
sheets, clothing, bar soap, razors, and athletic equipment
● Crowded living conditions
● Unlawful injecting drug use
● Poor cleanliness
MRSA is becoming more common in community settings like schools, military housing, prisons and athletic locker rooms. This is called community acquired MRSA.
Some MRSA infections are connected to healthcare settings. The elderly or very sick people are more at risk.
How are Staph or MRSA Infections Treated?
Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a health care provider drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure to take all of the doses, even as the infection gets better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect. Do not share antibiotics with other people. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for their illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
How do I keep Staph or MRSA infections from spreading?
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN
Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages.
Do not touch other people’s cuts or bandages.
Do not share personal items like towels or razors
Shower every day
Clean surfaces with disinfectant regularly in areas that you live and work
Additional information can be found at the following websites:
● Public Health – Seattle & King County (www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/mrsa.htm) MRSA fact sheet and links to other MRSA resources
● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Information on community-associated MRSA. (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html). Questions and answers about MRSA in schools and MRSA and the Workplace.
It is our goal at Okanogan Douglas Hospital to provide a safe environment for our patients. Our patient care staff is trained to monitor the patient’s condition and prevent the spread of infection by adhering to hand hygiene, environmental controls, and providing patient education. If there are further questions, the Infection Control Nurse may be contacted by calling the hospital at 689-2517 ext. 3060.
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