MRSA infection
MRSA screening is usually carried out inpeople who need to be admitted to hospital for planned or emergency care.
In particular, it's recommended for certain groups at the highest risk of becoming infected with MRSA while they're in hospital. These include:
People who aren't staying in hospital overnight don't usually need to be routinely screened.
Many people carry MRSA on their skin. This is usually harmless, but it can cause problems if the bacteria get into the skin or infect someone in poor health.
People in hospital are particularly at risk of an MRSA infection, becausethey tend to havecomplex health problems andare surrounded by a large number ofpatients, visitors and staff who could spread the infection.
By carrying out a simple test to see if you carry MRSA on your skin,a simple treatment can begiven to get rid of as much of the bacteria as possible before you're admitted to hospital, minimising the risk of yourself and others becoming infected.
Usually, you will be screened before you come into hospital foran operation. This may be in a pre-admission assessment clinic, an outpatient clinic or at your GP surgery.
Typically, a nurse will take swabs as part of other checks, such asblood pressure and Blood tests ,leading up to your hospital stay.
A nurse will run a cotton bud (swab) over your skin so it can be checked for MRSA bacteria.
Swabs may be taken from different places, such as the inside of your nose, your throat, your armpit, your groin and any areas of damaged or open skin. Swabbing is painless and only takes a few seconds.
Your swabs will be sent to a laboratory, which will test them for MRSA. The results usually take threeto five days,but may come back onthe same day.
If you are found to be carrying MRSA on your skin or in your nose, you will be contacted by the hospital or your GP. Don'tworry if you are contacted.Many people carry MRSA.
Carrying MRSA does not make you ill and you're not usually a risk to healthy people, including healthy older people, pregnant women and children. A doctor or nurse will tell you what to do next.
If you are not carrying MRSA, you're unlikely to be contacted by the hospital or your GP. If you're not contacted,continue with your hospital care as planned.
If you are carrying MRSA on your skin, you may not be able to have your planned operation or procedure straight away. You may need to be treated for MRSA first to protect you and other patients from getting ill.
Your doctor or nurse will discuss treatment with you. It usually involves using an antibacterial wash or powder and a special cream in your nose.
You may be asked to change your clothes, sheets and pillowcases every day, usually forfive days.
You don't need to be in hospital while you're using the treatment. Continue until the day of your operation or procedure, or until thefive daysare complete. You don't usually need to be screened again before you go into hospital.
.
If your operation is urgent and you need to go into hospital quickly, youmay be admitted to a side room in the hospital andstarted on MRSA treatment as soon as possible.
MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to a number of widely used antibiotics. This means MRSA infections can be more difficult to treat than other bacterial infections.
The symptoms of an MRSA infection will depend on what part of the body is infected.
MRSA is a type of staphylococcal bacteria that has developed resistance to a number of widely used antibiotics.
If you have an MRSA infection, you may need treatment with particular antibiotics. If MRSA screening shows that you just carry MRSA on your skin, you'll need decolonisation treatment to remove the bacteria.
Hospital staff, patients and hospital visitors can take simple hygiene measures to prevent the spread of MRSA and stop infection.
MRSA screening is usually carried out on people who need to be admitted to hospital for planned or emergency care. In particular, it's recommended for certain groups at the highest risk of becoming infected with MRSA while they're in hospital.