Are you concerned about contracting MRSA while working in healthcare?

Published

I have just completed the CNA course and am planning to continue on, with LVN being the next thing I complete. I am concered, however, about contracting MRSA while working in healthcare setting. Im just wondering what others working in healthcare, think about this and if you all are worried about getting MRSA? Or am I just being over worried?:bugeyes:

You should make the assumption that all your pts may have MRSA. It is a very common bacteria and if you did nasal swabs on your coworkers you would find that about half have positive swabs.

Many people normally have S. aureus colonized, but not MRSA. Half of your colleagues should NOT have MRSA, but I don't know the epidemiology of non-resistant staph. Could be half, maybe more.

Also, colonized MRSA may or may not live in the nares. Could live in lungs, ear canals, GI tract, etc. So, you could be colonized with a negative nasal swab. I know that doesn't help you with your worries.

My advice--if you don't have any persistent illness (ie, non-healing wounds, diabetes, immunosuppression, etc), keep your hands clean, follow contact precaution protocol. If you think you may have MRSA due to significant exposure to known resistant staph, outbreak at home, or suspicious illness, get a nasal swab and voice your concern to your PCP. If you currently feel sick, this post (and this board) doesn't offer medical advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I don't know the epidemiology of non-resistant staph. Could be half, maybe more.

Everyone has staph- it's normal skin flora.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Everyone has staph- it's normal skin flora.

Normal flora is not the same for every person.

http://bioinfo.bact.wisc.edu/themicrobialworld/NormalFlora.html

Check out this site, for anyone interested in a picture of the relative distribution of normal flora, and which organisms have pathogen potential.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
Your best defense against preventing MRSA is the same behavior against spreading it. Like not wearing (scrubs) in a grocery store. But that is a little too conscientious.

Personally, I don't roll around in bed with my patients, nor do I hug their linens up against my scrubs...and I practice meticulous handwashing. More than I can say for the MAJORITY of the visitors to my facility. They're the ones hugging grandma while she's on contact precautions and then stopping at the grocery to pick up something quick for dinner...all the while touching the cart handle, checking melons for ripeness, squishing the bread, etc etc etc. Worse yet, they let junior play all over the nasty floor even though told repeatedly that it's really NOT a good idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Your best defense against preventing MRSA is the same behavior against spreading it. Like not wearing (scrubs) in a grocery store. But that is a little too conscientious.

Seriously, I've been working in direct pt care for over two years and have had three times when a patient put me in a compromised situation. None of those situations were my fault (ie. one time a patient bit me, one time an accidental needle stick, one time blood spatter).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

I've been working in health care for over 10 years... way before MRSA was known to colonize so many patients, and before it was routinely tested for. I just assume I have it in my nares and/or under my fingernails. I don't really think this is my fault, and I remember the first nursing home patient I had about 10 years ago who came in with it. They didn't even tell us how to properly care for her, so yeah, I'm sure I'm bound to have it by now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FYI I cultured for Zyvox sensitivity only. It didnt work and I am still active. I am the fellow in the gloves in public because FIRST I dont want some infant dieing from something carelessness gave me. I had an umbilical hernia repair. Three weeks later, after a followup with the surgeon I was informed I tested positive for (HA)-MRSA. While admitted, no one cleaned anything, as a matter of fact my waste basket was emptied once by the CNA. Being a previous CUSTOMER I asked, "Where housekeeping was?" The CNA's reply was "I am it."

Because MRSA can exchange DNA and I have no treatment options, it tends to make me overly cautious. More so, than those who treated me. So my apology will not be forth coming. In fact your indignation, prompts me to introduce you up close and personal next time I see you in scrubs in public.

Also, surely next time I am admitted, it will be isolated. I promise, if you come in my room and break protocol, I aint gonna complain to customer service, ALL 285 lbs of me is coming outta the bed and I am going to whip your ass in self defense! Take it up with Workmans Comp!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I figure I'm colonized.

MRSA is found in the community, lockerrooms, pools, homeless shelters, all sorts of places.

To say that you acquired it in hospital is a guess at best.

My hospital swabs everyone who is admitted, upon arrival on the unit. We frequently get postive results from people who have never been in hospital before.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
FYI I cultured for Zyvox sensitivity only. It didnt work and I am still active. I am the fellow in the gloves in public because FIRST I dont want some infant dieing from something carelessness gave me. I had an umbilical hernia repair. Three weeks later, after a followup with the surgeon I was informed I tested positive for (HA)-MRSA. While admitted, no one cleaned anything, as a matter of fact my waste basket was emptied once by the CNA. Being a previous CUSTOMER I asked, "Where housekeeping was?" The CNA's reply was "I am it."

Because MRSA can exchange DNA and I have no treatment options, it tends to make me overly cautious. More so, than those who treated me. So my apology will not be forth coming. In fact your indignation, prompts me to introduce you up close and personal next time I see you in scrubs in public.

Also, surely next time I am admitted, it will be isolated. I promise, if you come in my room and break protocol, I aint gonna complain to customer service, ALL 285 lbs of me is coming outta the bed and I am going to whip your as_ in self defense! Take it up with Workmans Comp!

I'm sorry you have MRSA. I've had three outbreaks of MRSA cellulitis myself, so I know a bit about what it's like to wonder when (and where) it's going to raise its ugly little head next.

However, it's evident from your posts that you are very, very angry about this. And I'm sorry, but attacking healthcare workers---whether physically, verbally, or on an Internet forum---will not restore you to your former state of health. You might do well to channel your considerably energies toward working with your local and state legislators for public education about MRSA, and even safe staffing laws that would indirectly benefit patients by allowing healthcare personnel to take the time needed for proper hygiene. :up:

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Eh, I'm pretty sure if I got a nasal swab it would come back positive. Lord knows the amount of times I've taken care of a patient for a week and then "boom!" the next day they are on contact. I assume everyone in the free world has MRSA so that I reduce my chances. Unfortunately its all part of the job to take those risks. I agree about the being more scared of HIV or HEPC. I've personally gotten splashed in the face with noway of preventing it. :down: Not cool. Also, I'm scared of TB. It seems the exact moment you lean over or near a patient is the one they need to cough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

okay, yes i am angry.

but lets define some terms first. accidental is an unknown cause of meeting of events without premeditation and intent. negligence is knowledge that the meeting of events can be predicted and expected, and through apathy are allowed to happen.

the risk of your profession is to you as you are trained, supervised, and administrated. others set the rules and you are expected to follow them. however there seems to be an attitude that there are rules for being a patient. no. the patient is the customer, untrained, with no accompanying assumption of expertise.

one simple question should be test enough. how long can staphylococcus aureus live without oxygen outside the body?

i agree the public needs to be educated. especially since mrsa has crossed another barrier and known p. acnes is becoming drug resistant. as far as legisaltion, medicare as i understand it is now challenging payments for hospital acquired complications. so the result may end up as care providers in civil court named as the defendant. me, i think the three strike rule should apply. 1st written suspension. 2nd termination. 3rd barred from practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion