Are you concerned about contracting MRSA while working in healthcare?

[Caligirl09]

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?

[Mammy1111]

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.

I know some people do not listen, but have you really educated your pateints and their families about how MRSA is spread? If they aren't told, first of all if there IS an infection, and second how to prevent the spread of it, they can't be expected to be compliant with what behaviors you wish they would observe.

Too many times, patients, their visitor and their families are not educated about the spread of MRSA.......and sometimes patients are not even told they have it. Those patient's/families cannot be expected to know what to do without the right information to help them.