How to prevention of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections

MRSA is associated with,

1.      Ventilator-associated pneumonia – Pneumonia can be life threatening especially when it occurs in intensive care patients. These patients’ immune system is already compromised and infection with resistant bacteria multiplies the risks.

2.      Bloodstream infection associated with central venous catheters, and surgical-site infections – Hospitalized patients undergo various invasive procedures that involve access to the blood stream. This leads to introduction of resistant bacteria to the systemic circulation. 

These have become major problems in health sector because they are associated with significant amount of morbidity and mortality. These infections are acquired from the hospital a, because the resistant bacteria present in the hospital. A system called “MRSA BUNDLE” is used to prevent MRSA associated infections in the health care facilities.

This bundle consists of following guidelines.

1.      universal nasal surveillance for MRSA colonization

2.      contact precautions for patients who were carriers of MRSA

3.      hand hygiene

4.      institutional culture change whereby infection control became the responsibility of everyone who had contact with patients

Studies done show that MRSA infection rates have been reduced significantly when above guidelines are followed.