Universal screening helps prevent MRSA hospital infection outbreaks
Accreditation Connection, September 21, 2009
A recent study conducted by three Northshore University Healthsystem (NUHS) hospitals in Evanston, IL revealed hospital-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA) can be largely prevented by identifying carriers of the organism when patients first enter the hospital, according to the Doctor's Guide Web site. The hospital staff members must then follow aggressive isolation procedures, even if the patient is not experiencing disease symptoms but are colonized by the bacteria.
NUHS has seen a 70% reduction in MRSA since 2005, by following an aggressive isolation program. In an official statement to the Doctor's Guide, Lance Peterson, MD, microbiology and infectious diseases research at NUHS, said if hospital staff is not aggressive in conducting isolation programs with persons carrying MRSA, the infection control program is doomed to fail.
At entry, patients have their nostril swabbed for pathogens and if MRSA is detected, the patient is isolated and treated with mupirocin for five days and given two antiseptic baths. Any staff member involved with treating the infected patient is required to wear gowns and gloves for contact precaution.
To read more on preventing MRSA hospital infection outbreaks, click here.
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