Transcript Methicillin Resistant Sthaphlococcus Aureus

Methicillin Resistant Sthaphlococcus Aureus
Here since the 1960’s and
still going strong!
Betty N. Gormley, BSN, RN, CIC
Gloucester County Department of Health & Sr. Services
What is it?
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that
lives on the skin of all people.
It lives there with about a dozen other
bacteria.
They live on dead skin cells and other
nutrients that you find on skin.
They rarely cause infections.
How do you get it?
Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is
ubiquitous….. It is everywhere.
Direct contact with the skin of other
people is the easiest way to get staph.
What does it do?
Usually…….. Nothing.
But…. It can cause infections
on skin
hair follicles
It can rarely cause infections in deeper
tissue like pneumonia and “blood poisoning”
Most of those happen to immune
compromised people.
What is a carrier?
A carrier is someone who has MRSA on
their skin, but who does not have an
active infection.
Can I work if I have MRSA?
Workers with open or draining wounds
can work if the wound can be covered.
How do you control it?
MRSA is difficult to control and even more
difficult to eradicate.
Good personal hygiene
Handwashing
Personal protective equipment (gloves &
sometimes gowns)
Environmental cleaning
laundry & terminal cleaning
How do you treat MRSA
MRSA can be treated with antibiological
agents that are not derived or related to
penicillin.
Health Care Providers who are aware of
community levels of MRSA are more likely
to treat early with appropriate drugs.
If a skin infection doesn’t improve on
penicillin-like drugs, you need to be reevaluated
HOW DO YOU TREAT MRSA
At this point it is important to point out
that all skin infections are not MRSA
It is important to remember that all
breaks in the skin do not require antibiotic
treatment.
In fact, this can be harmful and lead to
further resistance.
MORE INFORMATION
www.cdc.gov
www.state.nj.us/health
Enter MRSA on the search bar on those
pages.