Nursing & MRSA Precautions

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) consists of several bacteria, which is resistant to multiple antibiotics, including methicillin. The bacterium, for the most part, is mild and lives on the skin or in the nostrils. Many people carrying the bacteria are unaware they are carriers. MRSA spreads rapidly through contact from person to person. MRSA becomes critical when the bacteria enter the body through cuts or wounds. People with weakened immune systems, or those who have undergone surgery, are at risk because they are unable to fight off the infection caused by MRSA. It is difficult to treat MRSA because of the bacteria's resistance to several antibiotics; therefore, precaution is needed to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Hand Washing

• Hand washing prevents the spread of germs and bacteria.

  Hand washing can prevent the spread of MRSA. Nurses are required to wash their hand between touching of one body part and another. Nurses and health care workers are required to wash their hands or use approved hand sanitizers prior to entering a patient's room, and when exiting the patient's room. Nurses are also required to wash their hands before eating meals, and when they leave for the day.

Gloves/Masks/Gowns

• Nurses and medical staff must wear protective coverings to prevent the spread of bacteria.

  Gloves are required at all times, even for patients who have not been exposed to MRSA. Anytime there is a cut, open wound, mucus or presence of bodily fluids, gloves must be worn. Gowns are required, as well as masks to prevent the spread of MRSA through coughing.

Protective Equipment and Waste Disposal

• Proper waste disposal is pertinent in the prevention of MRSA.

  Nurses are required to dispose of waste (e.g., gloves, gowns, needles) in approved waste containers. Waste containers are placed away from the patient, within reach prior to sanitizing their hands and exiting the room. Nurses are required to wear disposable gowns and approved gloves to protect themselves from contamination. All protective gear is disposed of in the appropriate waste container, prior to exiting the patient's room.

Instruments

• Sterilization of equipment aids in prevention of the spreading of MRSA.

  Equipment and instruments for patients with MRSA are required to stay in the patient's room. Nurses or health care workers are responsible for ensuring instruments used on an MRSA patient are not used on another patient unless properly sterilized. All equipment should be cleaned and sterilized regularly.

Transportation

• Nurses must ensure proper protocol is exercised when patients are transferred from one area to another. They must notify the area receiving the patient, according to confidentiality laws, in order to protect other patients near the receiving area. The patient is required to wear a surgical mask during transport.

Visitors

• Nurses are required to chart visitor protocol, requesting that all visitors report to the nurses' station prior to visiting the patient in order to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Surfaces, Linen and Rooming

• Nurses' orders should include continuous cleaning and sterilizing of surface areas in the patient's room, as well as proper removal of linen, towels and other bedding used by the patient.

  MRSA-infected patients should preferably be placed in a private room. If the patient must share a room, placement should be with another patient with MRSA or with a patient who is not a high risk for infection. The attending nurse must consider not only the infected patient, but other patients as well.