MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Treat MRSA at home, urge scientists

Link: Channel 4 - News - Treat MRSA at home, urge scientists.

Many MRSA patients could be treated at home, experts have said. A new report claims the NHS could save millions of pounds if people infected with the bug were treated away from hospital. Scientists said those with MRSA were unlikely to spread the bug to healthy people and could take antibiotics at home. But one leading expert in the field warned the plan may not be safe for everyone. The study, produced by seven experts and the campaign group, National Concern for Healthcare Infections (NCHI), said many patients could be treated at home. Contrary to common fears, treating people in the community is unlikely to spread MRSA infection as it generally only infects through open wounds or IV lines, it said.

MRSA Isolation Policy - Responding to Patients Emotions

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

     The development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria confronts hospitals and nursing homes with new problems which affect patients, their relatives and friends as well as staff. In order to gain insights into the experience of patients suffering from prolonged isolationas a result of MRSA, a qualitative study was conducted using narrative interviews. The results indicate that for patients isolation due to MRSA is for various reasons an enormous stress factor. They experience fear and anger while their future perspective remains unclear. The infections cause a lack of control of their own situation. To cope with isolation for an unforeseen duration the patients withdraw into themselves, although they try to rationalise their situation. They feel imprisoned. To build or maintain confidence contact to doctors is important. Single room accommodation is not always a strain for patients, because co-patients can cause even higher stress factors. Protective clothing often encumbers visitors which conclusively do not come at all or stay for a shorter period. Due to protective clothing patients do not easily recognise who enters the room. Nevertheless, the strict sanitary standards are not consequently fulfilled by staff members. For various reasons patients experience anger. The results of this study should be taken into account at the nursing of patients suffering from MRSA or similar infections.

Isolation wards for MRSA postive cuts infection by 85%

Link: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Proceedings).

   Since Aug‘03 pre-operative MRSA screening & a ward reserved exclusively for MRSA free joint replacement patients has been used. All postoperative wound infections within 3 months following THR & TKR were monitored. Before screening, 0.59% of 3386 were acutely infected with MRSA. After institution of study policy, 0.10% of 1034, were infected with MRSA.. This was a 6 fold decrease (p<0.05). The rate of MRSA infection in a control of hemiarthroplasties was unchanged during this period. A policy of MRSA screening & an MRSA free joint replacement ward reduces the incidence of acute MRSA infections.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Single-Versus Multiple-Occupancy Rooms in Acute Care Environments

Link: Environment and Behavior.

Private patient rooms have become the industry standard in the United States based on the assumption that they reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infections, facilitate patient care and management, and afford greater therapeutic benefits for patients. The objective of this article is to reviewand analyze the existing literature to identify the empirical evidence related to the advantages and disadvantages of single versus multiple-occupancy patient rooms in hospitals. Three substantive areas were identified for synthesis of the review: (a) first and operating cost of hospitals, (b) infection control, and (c) health care facility management and hospital design and therapeutic impacts. The analysis reveals that private patient rooms reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, allow for greater flexibility in operation and management, and have positive therapeutic impacts on patients. This review highlights the need to consider room occupancy issues along with other patient care issues and environmental and management policies.

Family shock at MRSA inaction

Link: The Citizen

The family of a man who contracted the MRSA superbug at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have condemned the fact he was left in the ward for 24 hours with other patients. Retired bricklayer and widower Arthur Barnfield, 78, of Ebley, Stroud, was diagnosed with the deadly bug on Tuesday, but not isolated until yesterday afternoon, potentially putting others at risk. "Since then the other beds in that ward have all been filled but Arthur is still there - so presumably they are at risk of being infected by him," said Mr Barnfield's stepson John Merrett yesterday, just before he was eventually isolated."

MRSA patient isolation best practice

Link: [Optimising patient isolation due to meticllin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.].

Isolation of patients is used to control the spread of certain microorganisms in the hospital, e.g. meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Recent investigations have shown that the quality of care for patients in isolation is affected significantly. However, this is not accompanied by an effect on the morbidity or mortality. The successful Dutch policy on MRSA is based largely on strict isolation of patients colonised with MRSA. If MRSA becomes endemic, this is accompanied by increases in morbidity and mortality as well as costs. The disadvantages of isolation are recognised and should be prevented as far as possible. New diagnostic and therapeutic developments can shorten the duration of isolation significantly, which will further improve the quality of care.