How to deal with MRSA patients?

woody62, RN · Aug 16, 2007

Hi, I graduated last year from school...From that time, I seen quite a few patients with MRSA...Like many CNAs and other staff dont even know sometimes that patients have the disease..Most of the staff acted normal and just wore gloves and then good handwashing...
I have to care for a patient that has MRSA..He is infected with signs and symptoms of MRSA..His skin is in bad shape and has many dressings on him because of the disease..
If you were in my position what would you do?

Does your hospital have an in service department and infection control? If they do I would check with them and infection control, regarding a mandatory in service on the care of MRSA patients.

Woody:balloons:

Bala Shark · Aug 16, 2007

I am scared that I might get it...Since this patient is like a long term patient..And one of the nurses there cared for him for six years..He just told me to wear gloves during his dressing changes..

SICU Queen · Aug 16, 2007

Did you not go through training about different isolation patients and what the requirement for care is for them?

If the patient's on contact precautions due to MRSA of the wound, then gloves and gown should handle it fine during dressing changes, unless there's a chance you could get splashed with something from a "juicy" wound, then eye protection and a mask would be in order.

Fastidious handwashing is a must, both before and after patient care.

You need to check with your facility about their protocols for these kinds of patients.

Bala Shark · Aug 16, 2007

Did you not go through training about different isolation patients and what the requirement for care is for them?
If the patient's on contact precautions due to MRSA of the wound, then gloves and gown should handle it fine during dressing changes, unless there's a chance you could get splashed with something from a "juicy" wound, then eye protection and a mask would be in order.
Fastidious handwashing is a must, both before and after patient care.
You need to check with your facility about their protocols for these kinds of patients.

I read, you can get MRSA through just casual contact like touching skin or the bed sheets!!

SICU Queen · Aug 16, 2007

Are you a nurse?

SICU Queen · Aug 16, 2007

Never mind, I just read your profile.

You need to do some reading about MRSA, and other infections that put patients into isolation. Is the patient in isolation? Did they say he's got MRSA of his wounds?

If the patient's in isolation, then follow your facility's protocol for infectious pateints.

TazziRN, RN · Aug 16, 2007

You're an LVN, you've been out of school for a year, and you're freaked out about an isolation pt?? The fact that the one nurse has cared for this pt for years and hasn't gotten anything should tell you something. The fact that so many nurses care for MRSA pts and don't get it should tell you something. If the pt were that contagious, you would be gowning, gloving, masking, and stepping into a laminar flow room.

And where did you read this? If you read it in a medical/nursing publication, then you didn't read the entire article.

Bala Shark · Aug 16, 2007

You're an LVN, you've been out of school for a year, and you're freaked out about an isolation pt?? The fact that the one nurse has cared for this pt for years and hasn't gotten anything should tell you something. The fact that so many nurses care for MRSA pts and don't get it should tell you something. If the pt were that contagious, you would be gowning, gloving, masking, and stepping into a laminar flow room.
And where did you read this? If you read it in a medical/nursing publication, then you didn't read the entire article.

You can get it thru casual contact..And people have MRSA but shows no signs or symptoms..

RNfaster · Aug 16, 2007

I agree that you should check your facility's protocol for dealing with infectious diseases such as MRSA. I am guessing that you are working in a long-term care facility from your comments. I think that it is easy for folks to get complacent as they have worked around this patient and/or others with MRSA and nothing has (in their eyes happened).

People may become colonized with MRSA and not show any symptoms. It is important to observe contact precautions, e.g., gowning, gloving, washing, etc. I think it is also very important NOT to throw this patient's laundry (and others, for that matter) on the floor. By doing that, you run the risk you might transfer infectious microbes to your shoes (and you might then take them home and/or transmit them to other areas). You should also ensure that surfaces the patient touches frequently are cleaned regularly. And you should carefully disinfect vital sign equipment that you use with the patient.

Another thing...make sure this patient has regularly cleaned coverings, e.g., sock slippers, to wear when they are walking on the floor.

I think you are right to be careful about infectious diseases. Many folks treat them too cavalierly as I see it.

I don't think MRSA can survive in the environment as long as C-Diff (the latter forms spores that are very difficult to eradicate).

Check out the CDC for more info on the subject. Good luck.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_healthcareFS.html

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2007

We have almost all of the MRSA pt's on our unit; Just use good technique; Do whatever your Contact Prec. tell you to do.

GOOD HANDWASHING is your number 1 defense in all pt's.

Wash before & after pt. contact.

For MRSA--gowns & gloves no matter what you do for the pt. Also, if you need the goggles, then use them.

These are your PPE's. They are there you for to use.

We get so many pt's on precautions, because our floor is all private rooms.

Good Luck!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2007

Handwashing. Personal Protective Equipment. Handwashing. Handwashing and Handwashing.