MRSA
What is methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus and/or multi resistant staphlococcus aureus? 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.
Why screen for MRSA?
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.
MRSA check in Country of Origin
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 five days
Results are forwarded to NUAZ to be on forwarded to treating Hospital and Specialist.
MRSA check in New Zealand
Non-emergency Surgery
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.
Client with a Positive MRSA Result
Three consecutive clear swabs are required prior to a non emergency surgery client being admitted to hospital. If you require urgent admission to hospital you may be admitted and you will be barrier nursed. Your Specialist determines if you require emergency admission or if you can wait for MRSA clearance. If you arrive in NZ requiring an urgent admission to hospital you will be barrier nursed until such time we know you are MRSA negative. We arrange for you to be swabbed for MRSA on the day or close to the day of arrival to NZ.
Time delay expected for a non-urgent patient who proves to be MRSA positive:
Day 1 client swabbed
Day 5 if negative result - cleared for admission to hospital surgery.
Day 5 if positive result commence antibiotics.
Day 5 - 18 antibiotic cover
Day 18 Swab No: 1
Day 19 Swab No 2/receive result No 1
Day 20 Swab No 3/receive result No 2
Day 21 receive result No 3
Minimum delay to obtain a "clear" result is therefore approximately 20 days.
Treatment of MRSA
A patient with proven positive MRSA should commence appropriate antmicrobial therapy i.e. Vancomycin (Oral course approximately 7 -1 0 days)
What is methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus and/or multi resistant staphlococcus aureus? 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.
Why screen for MRSA?
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.
MRSA check in Country of Origin
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 five days
Results are forwarded to NUAZ to be on forwarded to treating Hospital and Specialist.
MRSA check in New Zealand
Non-emergency Surgery
- The client will be swabbed for MRSA in NZ at an appointed Laboratory.
- Admission for non-emergency cases will occur once the MRSA swab results are found to be negative.
- Results from the Laboratory take five 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.
Client with a Positive MRSA Result
Three consecutive clear swabs are required prior to a non emergency surgery client being admitted to hospital. If you require urgent admission to hospital you may be admitted and you will be barrier nursed. Your Specialist determines if you require emergency admission or if you can wait for MRSA clearance. If you arrive in NZ requiring an urgent admission to hospital you will be barrier nursed until such time we know you are MRSA negative. We arrange for you to be swabbed for MRSA on the day or close to the day of arrival to NZ.
Time delay expected for a non-urgent patient who proves to be MRSA positive:
Day 1 client swabbed
Day 5 if negative result - cleared for admission to hospital surgery.
Day 5 if positive result commence antibiotics.
Day 5 - 18 antibiotic cover
Day 18 Swab No: 1
Day 19 Swab No 2/receive result No 1
Day 20 Swab No 3/receive result No 2
Day 21 receive result No 3
Minimum delay to obtain a "clear" result is therefore approximately 20 days.
Treatment of MRSA
A patient with proven positive MRSA should commence appropriate antmicrobial therapy i.e. Vancomycin (Oral course approximately 7 -1 0 days)