We take all healthcare-associated infections including MRSA seriously. Here are some basic facts about MRSA, what it is, what it isn't and how you can help us to combat MRSA in our hospitals.

Yes, MRSA can usually be treated. There are antibiotics other than the group that Methicillin belongs to, which can be given if a person is unwell with an MRSA infection. Other medications, such as antimicrobial washes and ointments are used to remove MRSA from the nose and skin even when it is doing a patient no harm, and this is known as colonisation.

I have been told I have MRSA, what exactly is it?

There are lots of different types of families of germs or bacteria, found on the human body or in the environment. One of these families is Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA is a member of this family.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common type of bacteria which lives harmlessly on the skin and nose of about one third of the population and this is called ‘colonisation’.
People who are colonised are often not ill and most will be unaware that they carry these bacteria because it does not usually harm them and they have no symptoms.
It usually lives in the moist areas such as armpits, groin or nose, although it can be found on other parts of the body such as your hands.

Like any germ it can cause an infection in particular skin related problems such as pimples or boils for example. These germs can cause more serious infections if they get into areas they would not normally be found. When Staphylococcus aureus causes infections, it is commonly treated by antibiotics - e.g. Flucloxacillin.

Sometimes Staphylococcus aureus can be resistant to a range of antibiotics, hence the name Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

 How did you find out I was MRSA positive?

You may remember nursing staff taking a series of swabs from the following areas:
• Your nose;
• The area around your groin;
• Your sputum (but only if you had a cough at the time);
• Your wounds (including IV sites) and other skin areas e.g. eczema, or leg ulcers; And finally, you may have been asked to provide a urine sample if you have a catheter in place, or if you are female and catheterise yourself.

What is the best way to treat it?

The best way to treat and reduce the amount of MRSA on your skin is to treat it with a combination of prescribed lotions which will reduce the number of germs on your skin.
• A nasal ointment known as Mupirocin or Bactroban which you should apply to the inside of your nostrils three times a day. Please make sure you wash your hands before and after applying the ointment. You will know if you have applied the ointment far enough into the nostrils, as you should be able to taste it at the back of the throat.
• An antiseptic body wash will also be prescribed. We advise this is applied directly to wet skin on a daily basis using fresh, disposable cloths (e.g. J-Cloths™) which should be discarded after use. Apply a blob of the antiseptic body wash approximately the size of a £2 coin. If possible, try and leave it on your skin for at least 3 minutes, as this is the recommended time to allow it to work.
• Every other day you must wash your hair with the antiseptic body wash. You may wash your hair afterwards with regular shampoo.
• Sometimes we may even prescribe an antiseptic dusting powder, which can be used on areas such as the armpits and belly button.
• All these products must be used for a total of five days at a time. If you are still a patient in hospital after this time, we will re- screen to see if the MRSA has gone. This will be undertaken 2 days after you stopped your body and hair wash, and have stopped applying the nasal ointment.

Once I am diagnosed does that mean I will always be MRSA positive?

Not necessarily. Some patients successfully remove the germs from the skin, whilst in other cases, not. It is not known why this happens, but success often depends on how well you follow the advice in this leaflet on how to apply the body wash and nasal ointment.

Will hospital staff treat me differently from other patients?

Following advice given by the Infection Control Team, your nursing staff will place you into a side room if one is available. We must emphasise that these precautions are being taken to protect other vulnerable patients on the ward.

What happens if I come back into hospital? Should I remind staff I have been MRSA positive in the past?

YES, as it’s always good to be reminded, but there are several ways staff can identify past records and they are as follows:
• Your records on computer will always show this.
• Check the outside of your notes for the red and white ‘ALERT’ sticker
• Check the inside of your notes for the yellow ‘MRSA’ sticker
• Call a member of the Infection Control Team (ICT)

Is it safe for me to have visitors?

YES, however, we do expect your visitors to either use the alcohol gel or wash their hands with soap and water on entry and exit from the wards.
Both methods are a reliable way to cleanse your hands.

We also expect your visitors to obey guidelines from the hospital; which includes things like not sitting on beds, and not visiting people when they are unwell.

How do I wash my clothes?

All items can be washed as normal but preferably separately from other washing, following the normal washing instructions on the labels.

What if I still have questions after reading this?

Please feel free to ask a member of staff for further information. If necessary, they can contact a member of the Infection Control Team who will be happy to answer any queries you may have.

Alternatively read the following leaflets:

MRSA Information for Kidney Patients

Treatment of Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

MRSA Screening – Your questions answered

MRSA Policy April 2009