Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA)
What is it?
Methicillin is an antibiotic that is used to treat infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, commonly called staph. Some staph bacteria developed resistance to methicillin overtime and can no longer be killed by this or similar antibiotics. These resistant bacteria are called Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.
Who does it affect?
MRSA infections can develop in patients at the hospital who are very sick, on antibiotics, or have a wound such as a bedsore. MRSA infections also occur in healthy people who have not been in a hospital. These usually develop from skin infections such as pimples and boils.
Can it be treated?
Yes. Although MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics and often difficult to treat, a few antibiotics can still successfully cure MRSA infections. Patients who are only colonized with MRSA usually do not need treatment.
Colonisation means that MRSA is present on or in the body without causing illness.
Infection means that MRSA is making the person sick (e.g. fever, wound redness).
Is it contagious?
Yes. MRSA can spread to other patients who are sick with weak immune systems. It is spread by physical contact.
What is done to prevent the spread of MRSA?
Good hand hygiene is the key to preventing the spread of MRSA. If you are a patient in the hospital, you will be placed in an isolation room or MRSA cohort cubicle. A sign will be posted outside your room or cubicle to inform staff and visitors to wear gowns and gloves when providing care for you. Your healthcare providers must perform hand washing before and after attending to you.
Is it safe for my family members to visit me?
Yes. The hospital will restrict two visitors for each patient during the visiting hours. However, children below 12 years old or those with low immunity are advised to stay away.
Your visitors will also be asked to follow the same infection control guidelines as our staff, i.e. perform hand washing and wear gowns and gloves when providing direct care to you.
What should I do after discharge?
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean your hands before and after touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• All family members must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating.
• Keep your wounds or cuts covered.
• Use alcohol handrubs.
• Maintain good personal hygiene by showering and wearing clean laundered clothing.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, wash cloths, shavers, sheets, soap bars and clothing.
• Clean and disinfect touched surfaces in your home frequently (e.g. faucet handles, toilet flushes, bedrails, door knobs, commodes).
• Clean and disinfect the bathroom surfaces frequently and when soiled.