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MRSA

What is it | Why screen | Check in Country of Origin | Check in NZ | Positive MRSA |Treatment

The term MRSA refers to both methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus and to multi resistant staphlococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria (germ) which is commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes, especially the nose and perineum.

If staphylococcus aureus stays only on the skin there is no problem, but in certain situations staphylococcus aureus may become invasive and cause disease. (e.g. in skin abscesses, post-operative wound infections, septicaemia and pneumonia). This usually occurs in persons predisposed through illness and injury.

At one time staphylococci were sensitive to penicillin, however the clinical use of this agent has meant strains of staphylococcus aureus have become resistant to a wide range of antibiotics e.g. Flucloxacillin, methicillin, cepahlosporins and tetracyclines. These are referred to as Methicillin Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Multi resistant strains are resistant to 3 or more antibiotics other than penicillen and methicillen.

Screening is important for the control of MRSA in hospitals. Identification of infected or colonised patients and staff members allows for appropriate management to prevent the spread to others.

A client coming to NZ for non emergency surgery is to be swabbed for MRSA in Country of Origin. If a preliminary MRSA check is attended to and found to be negative a client will feel more secure that he/she will have negative MRSA results on entry to New Zealand.

An MRSA check consists of:-

1] one nasal swab (used to swab both anterior nares)

2] one swab from the perineum

3] swabs from possible site of infection (if relevant -> skin lesions; boils and open wounds)

Laboratory results take three days

Results to be forwarded to NUAZ to be on forwarded to treating Hospital and Specialist.

• The client will be swabbed for MRSA in NZ. A nurse will obtain the swabs from the client in the privacy of his/her Hotel/Motel Room on arrival in New Zealand.

• Admission for non-emergency cases will occur once the MRSA swab results are found to be negative.

• Results from the Laboratory take three days.

Hospital admission for emergency cases will occur on client arrival to New Zealand. MRSA swabs will be taken on admission to hospital. The client will be treated in isolation until proof that MRSA swabs are negative. Isolation care will be for a minimum of three days until MRSA Laboratory results are proven negative.

Three consecutive clear swabs are required prior to a non emergency surgery client being admitted to hospital.

Day 1 client swabbed

Day 3 if positive result commence antibiotics

Day 3 - 13 antibiotic cover

Day 15 Swab No: 1

Day 17 Swab No 2/receive result No 1

Day 19 Swab No 3/receive result No 2

Day 20 receive result No 3

Minimum delay to obtain a "clear" result is therefore approximately 20 days.

A patient with proven positive MRSA should commence appropriate antmicrobial therapy i.e. Vancomycin (Oral course approximately 7 -1 0 days)

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We welcome your questions and look forward to the opportunity of providing access to New Zealand's high quality health and support services. Estimates for healthcare and travel itineraries are provided on application.

If you would like more information about  NUAZ, The New Zealand Health Tourism Company, please email your contact details to Janet at  janet@nuaz.co.nz and we or your closest distributor will be in contact with you.

Health Topics | NUAZ | Links | Contact NUAZ