What to Do If Someone Is Hospitalized With a MRSA Infection?

MRSA infection, or staph infection, is a contagious disease caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This infection can be fatal without treatment. Hospitals with MRSA-infected patients need to fight existing infections and prevent the spread of infection.

Antibiotics

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the vancomycin antibiotic is often used to fight MRSA infections that are resistant to most other antibiotics.

Abscesses

• Patients with abscesses on the skin from a MRSA infection may have the abscesses drained by health care workers to promote healing.

Wash Your Hands

• Hospital visitors who spend time in hospitals with active MRSA infections should wash their hands frequently with warm, soapy water to prevent the spread of MRSA.

Hospital Staff Sanitation

• Hospital staff should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash hands before touching a patient in the hospital. Clean hands can prevent MRSA from spreading to patients with weak immune systems.

Gowns and Gloves

• Health care workers should wear sanitary gloves and gowns when they insert catheters or intravenous tubes into hospital patients to prevent the spread of MRSA.