What Is MRSA?

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (or MRSA, for short) is a bacteria that has learned how to fight back against antibiotics in the penicillin family.  Staphylococcus Aureus--usually just called staph--is commonly found in the noses and on the skin of healthy people.  Normally, it is a harmless passenger, but when it turns toxic, it causes minor illnesses (like pimples and boils) or serious illnesses (like  pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome).

The antibiotic, methicillin, has been used for years to treat staph infections and is still successful in some cases.  However, MRSA germs are staph bacteria that have become SUPER BUGS.  They are drug-resistant!

Until recently, MRSA was rare, causing fewer than 1% of all staph infections seen in the hospital.  Today, things have changed dramatically.  The latest research found that of all the staph infections among intensive care patients, 65% of them are caused by MRSA!

The vast majority of MRSA infections occur among patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings.  However, you've probably seen in the news that MRSA is becoming more common in community settings--like schools, military housing, prisons and athletic locker rooms.  This is because MRSA thrives in crowded areas where there is a good chance of skin-to-skin contact. 

Who Gets MRSA?

In healthcare workplaces, MRSA germs tend to live on the patients.  Elderly and/or very sick people are most at risk for MRSA.  If they have an open wound (such as a bedsore) or a tube going into the body (like a Foley catheter), their risk is even higher.

In addition, MRSA attacks people with compromised immune systems--such as people with AIDS.  Infection control experts believe that more than 1 million hospital patients were infected with MRSA in 2006.

People can also be colonized with MRSA, meaning that they carry the MRSA germs on their body without any signs of infection.  Doctors estimate that more than 400,000 Americans were colonized with MRSA in the last year alone!

Special Points to Remember

• Half of all people carry staph bacteria around on their bodies--without getting sick from it.  But, if you have staph on your skin and it jumps onto your clients, they might get very sick.

• When working with a client who has MRSA, you should wash your hands and put on gloves before entering the client's room.

• Clients who are infected with MRSA usually need to be in a room of their own.

Stay tuned to this blog for PART TWO of Knowing More about MRSA.  You may also be interested in our inservice entitled Understanding Drug Resistant Bacteria.

Happy Learning!

Linda