Pat_Pat RN 472 Posts Specializes in ER, Med/Surg. Has 8 years experience. Nov 12, 2008 so if we're checking everyone for MRSA, shouldn't we treat that the same way?Exactly. My hospital does this for anyone with a history of MRSA or that comes from a ECF.
CABG patch kid, BSN, RN 546 Posts Specializes in Telemetry, CCU. Nov 12, 2008 The policy at my hospital is that everyone with a history of MRSA or other common isolation bug (VRE, C. diff) will be on isolation precautions for the duration of their hospital stay. You never know when something might pop back up.
cherrybreeze, ADN, RN 1,405 Posts Specializes in Med/Surg. Nov 12, 2008 no. because if you are practicing standard precautions.. including handwashing this shouldn't be a problem. It wouldnt be very cost effective to put everyone in isolation for nothing.. and i think that is why hospitals wouldnt do thatOh, I totally understand that. I don't necessarily think that we SHOULD be doing it either...but if we're not going to, then I guess I'm not understanding culturing everybody that walks in the door. If we have reason to believe they are MRSA positive (meaning they have an open wound), we culture them and put them on iso either way, and if they have a hx we put them on it also...I just think it's overkill to do routine cultures on all admissions.
EJSRN, BSN, RN 102 Posts Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Tele. Has 2 years experience. Nov 12, 2008 i definately agree. It's a whole different ball game if you have an oozing wound. If someone comes in with acute coronary syndrome I don't see putting them on isolation for MRSA until it is ruled out. If the pt has a hx of MRSA then of course isolation until their culture is negative.
Epona 784 Posts Nov 17, 2008 Ok.. just following up on the thread I started. What if the patient has MRSA in the nares? We are to wear a mask, right? If they are on a vent can they still sneeze and spread it?? Thanks again! E
EJSRN, BSN, RN 102 Posts Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Tele. Has 2 years experience. Nov 17, 2008 Not unless a sputum culture is positive for MRSA