MRSA handout

Question 1

MRSA:

Answer 1

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Question 2

Is MRSA new?

Answer 2

NO

Question 3

Can Staphylococcus aureus be part of the normal flora of the human body?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What % of the microbe population in the nose is represented by S.aureus?

Answer 4

20% - 30% General population

50%- 60% Hospital Staff

Question 5

Define the following terms from the film:

Colonization:

        Infection:

Answer 5

Colonization: Reaches (inhabits) person but does not cause harm

Infection: Invasion of host tissue that eventually leads to damage

Question 6

How is MRSA transmitted?

Answer 6

Main mode: Hand contact

Question 7

Who typically becomes infected with S.aureus?

Answer 7

Ill person – most serious infections occur

Question 8

What patients are most at risk for S.aureus infections?

Answer 8

Surgical, immune-compromised, patient undergoing an invasive procedure

Question 9

How do you know if a person has MRSA?

Answer 9

Lab diagnostics by swabbing wound and sending to lab for analysis

Question 10

Phage typing is a lab diagnostic test to differentiate between different strains of MRSA.

What is a phage?

Answer 10

Virus that infects Staph bacteria

Question 11

Phage typing is a lab diagnostic test to differentiate between different strains of MRSA.

How many international phages can be used to infect S.aureus for phage typing?

Answer 11

23 different phages

Question 12

Phage typing is a lab diagnostic test to differentiate between different strains of MRSA.

Why is phage typing a useful tool in a clinical setting?

Answer 12

Allows infection control team to compare MRSA bacteria strains and determine how many patients are infected with those strain

Question 13

Phage typing is a lab diagnostic test to differentiate between different strains of MRSA.

What is the treatment for MRSA patients?

Answer 13

Antibiotic treatment, Vancomycin usually

Question 14

What can nurses do to mediate the problem of S.aureus infections in patients?

Answer 14

Correct antibiotic dosage administered, cautious in taking wound swabs making sure sterile techniques used

Question 15

Acute Setting

What are the duties of an infection control nurse?

Answer 15

Consult with infection control doctor, visit clinical medical microbiology lab daily, plan patient care, confirm drug treatment

Question 16

Acute Setting

What is meant by putting a patient in isolation?

Answer 16

Patient in a single room, universal infection control procedures started

Question 17

Acute Setting

What is the single most important thing a health care provider can do to prevent cross contamination between patients?

Answer 17

Hand washing

Question 18

Acute Setting

Can S.aureus survive in dust?

Answer 18

yes – often drug resistant strains

Question 19

Acute Setting

Should caregivers wear protective clothing when caring for a patient with MRSA?

Answer 19

Gloves, aprons, masks if respiratory system is involved and patient is coughing

Question 20

Non-Acute Setting

What is an example of a non-acute ward (or setting)?

Answer 20

Psychiatric ward, elderly ward, not acutely ill, non-surgical ward

Question 21

Non-Acute Setting

What affect might an isolation ward have on an elderly patient?

Answer 21

Depression is biggest problem for patients in isolation

Question 22

Non-Acute Setting

Are patients in a non-acute setting routinely screened for S.aureus?

Answer 22

NO

Question 23

The Community Setting

Nursing Nomes

Are patients with MRSA routinely placed in isolation in a nursing home?

Answer 23

NO

Question 24

The Community Setting

The Patients Home

Is it preferable to send a patient home if he/she is colonized with MRSA and not diseased?

Answer 24

YES