Iguanagirl8662
Katie
That's true, I read the majority of health care workers are carrying it but do not have it. That is probably why so many people end up getting it in hospitals.
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Anyone ever have MRSA or has any info
- Thread starter Iguanagirl8662
- Start date
That's true, I read the majority of health care workers are carrying it but do not have it. That is probably why so many people end up getting it in hospitals.
diamondlil
Mice! They taste so nice!
The rules, policies and procedures for infection control have changed so much I just treat any and all contact with patients or their body fluids as risky both for myself and for them.
For example, at one stage all patients with MRSA were allocated side-rooms and barrier nursed. Now they are on the general ward. All patients with diarrhoea were nursed in side-rooms, now they must be risk-assessed before being placed in side-rooms. People with blood-borne infections had signs above their beds and were barrier nursed, now there are no signs but any samples from them must be specifically labelled as 'high-risk'.
Patients with TB are barrier nursed in side-rooms but there is no air filtration and no positive air-pressure rooms for our protection, only masks which work for 15 minutes, that you have to dispose of in the room and hold your breath until you get out.
One of the nursing managers spent a morning on our ward recently 'getting hands on'. She complained at seeing health-care workers wearing gloves when washing a patient. They countered by saying they would have no idea if the patient could infect them or they infect the patient and our patient group tend to be high-risk for carrying hep.
For example, at one stage all patients with MRSA were allocated side-rooms and barrier nursed. Now they are on the general ward. All patients with diarrhoea were nursed in side-rooms, now they must be risk-assessed before being placed in side-rooms. People with blood-borne infections had signs above their beds and were barrier nursed, now there are no signs but any samples from them must be specifically labelled as 'high-risk'.
Patients with TB are barrier nursed in side-rooms but there is no air filtration and no positive air-pressure rooms for our protection, only masks which work for 15 minutes, that you have to dispose of in the room and hold your breath until you get out.
One of the nursing managers spent a morning on our ward recently 'getting hands on'. She complained at seeing health-care workers wearing gloves when washing a patient. They countered by saying they would have no idea if the patient could infect them or they infect the patient and our patient group tend to be high-risk for carrying hep.
diamondlil
Mice! They taste so nice!
It's a moot point whether people catch it or it is already on them and they just test positive. All patients are routinely screened on admission now so there should be new figures available. I could ask the infection control team about the percentage of patients testing positive as they come through the door, but it may be sensitive information.
Jynx
Digger, RN
Just about anyone who works in a hospital is colonized with MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), as is half the community really. Staph aureus is found in our nares, on our skin, in our ears, our pores... more places than one would think. It is a never ending cycle... infection, hospitalization, colonization, introduction to the community. Unfortunately, we have no one but ourselves to blame for it. In a society that is so free with antibiotics, our natural flora (which does include Staph aureus) has overstepped the boundaries of our previous pleasant symbiotic relationship to protect itself against the onslaught of antibiotics, bacteriostatic and antibacterial solutions, and antimicrobial mixes that are found just about everywhere. While as a nurse, I can definitely appreciate cleanliness (and thankfully since I do work in surgery), but there are certain lengths we shouldn't have gone to.
Now that I'm done with that rant (and as a micro nerd, it is indeed a rant - its a sore spot for me), MRSA is indeed treatable. It can sometimes take a long time with many different types of antibiotics that can sometimes invite a slew of side effects, but it is definitely treatable. Usually, Vancomycin is given since it has proven to be the most effective against MRSA. It is a very powerful antibiotic that can sometimes cause more problems that it can treat. I would discuss antibiotic treatments with your Doctor to see what your options are. Antibiotics kill ALL bacteria they come in contact with, including our good bodily bacteria. As was stated above, a very common side effect to intense antibiotic treatment is an overgrowth of the hardy bowel bacterium C.diff (Clostridium difficile), which trust me you want absolutely NO part of!
Make sure to keep the wound area clean and covered at all times. While the body's normal defenses are usually enough to combat bacteria defense - even the feared MRSA - a weakened immune system is like an invitation. In order to keep the infection from happening again, you will want to keep as much of the bacteria isolated. Try to stay in unless necessary, clean and bandage the wound in one particular spot in the home... a spot you can easily disinfect. Most importantly, wash your hands. If you think you've washed them enough, wash them 10 more times. Good hand hygiene is a life saver. A MRSA in infection is not the end of the world, but definitely needs to be treated with respect.
Being anemic probably prevented your bloodstream from carrying enough leukocytes to the site of infection, though I am no hematologist. My guess... MRSA was introduced to the open wound via outside influences, or you could be colonized (which is more likely a case). Generally, MRSA does not decide to spout from the body like Athena from Zeus. There is usually a point of entry (cut, wound, abrasion, etc) which provides the perfect environment for the bacteria to thrive in and then enters and infects the tissue, and eventually the blood stream.
Now that I'm done with that rant (and as a micro nerd, it is indeed a rant - its a sore spot for me), MRSA is indeed treatable. It can sometimes take a long time with many different types of antibiotics that can sometimes invite a slew of side effects, but it is definitely treatable. Usually, Vancomycin is given since it has proven to be the most effective against MRSA. It is a very powerful antibiotic that can sometimes cause more problems that it can treat. I would discuss antibiotic treatments with your Doctor to see what your options are. Antibiotics kill ALL bacteria they come in contact with, including our good bodily bacteria. As was stated above, a very common side effect to intense antibiotic treatment is an overgrowth of the hardy bowel bacterium C.diff (Clostridium difficile), which trust me you want absolutely NO part of!
Make sure to keep the wound area clean and covered at all times. While the body's normal defenses are usually enough to combat bacteria defense - even the feared MRSA - a weakened immune system is like an invitation. In order to keep the infection from happening again, you will want to keep as much of the bacteria isolated. Try to stay in unless necessary, clean and bandage the wound in one particular spot in the home... a spot you can easily disinfect. Most importantly, wash your hands. If you think you've washed them enough, wash them 10 more times. Good hand hygiene is a life saver. A MRSA in infection is not the end of the world, but definitely needs to be treated with respect.
Being anemic probably prevented your bloodstream from carrying enough leukocytes to the site of infection, though I am no hematologist. My guess... MRSA was introduced to the open wound via outside influences, or you could be colonized (which is more likely a case). Generally, MRSA does not decide to spout from the body like Athena from Zeus. There is usually a point of entry (cut, wound, abrasion, etc) which provides the perfect environment for the bacteria to thrive in and then enters and infects the tissue, and eventually the blood stream.
MinLynn
What blonde chick?!
Now see Jynx some of what you just said made more sense to me than what my own doctor told me to do! Like I said before, I have an antibiotic cream for whenever a sore or bump presents itself. This usually happens if one of my dogs or cats scratch me and I don't go and wash that scratch right away(I do have an immune disorder so I seriously have to immediately get the wound clean or I pay hell later. For instance there was a loose piece of wood that a brushed up against and it scratched the side of my leg. I was outside and didn't go in and wash it until later that night when I took a shower. Yep, I got a lesion.). However, when I asked my doctor whether I should keep the lesion covered I was told no! That didn't make sense to me so I always keep them covered anyway. I wonder why she would tell me that?
I'm also a serious abuser of antibacterial hand sanitizer.
I'm also a serious abuser of antibacterial hand sanitizer.
Jynx
Digger, RN
Well, as a nurse my patients depend on me to educate them. Doctors are so busy in the hospital I work at that they often can't (or won't) take the time to explain the in-depth details. I enjoy educating, and its something I do alot working in the OR, so if my response above sounded rehearsed, I apologize! When you are working with surgical wounds, you have to be up to date with the logistics of many different disease processes, and I take a special interest in microbiology. I got a Micro degree before I even thought about becoming a nurse
At this point, the previous damage has been done to create these "super bugs." Its not that they are impossible to treat... its that the treatment can sometimes be intensive and expensive. Many people don't realize how easy it can be to contract resistant strains like MRSA and VRE. At this stage in evolution, these have become very offensive and defensive organisms. Who knows what they could evolve to in the future.
With your condition, being safe is better than being frivolous with your care. I would in no way blame you for protecting yourself. Like I said, the damage causing these bacteria to beef up their arsenals was done long ago.
It could be because the wound was not deep enough in the integumentary layers to worry about treating it as anything other than skin deep. If that were the case, then I could see that she would rather it stay uncovered so as not to provide a better environment for it to thrive. I think it our duty as civilians to help keep the community clean though, so as long as there is a strong antibacterial cream in place, I would still cover it.
MinLynn
What blonde chick?!
Thanks! That helps a lot. I was never told what strain of Staph I have. Just that it's recurring. Helps, doesn't it? I only have one really bad scar and I can fit the tip of my pinky finger into the hole. Not pretty but not visible unless I show it either. That was the first one I ever had and I wasn't sure what it was. I didn't go in to the see the doctor until it was so painful that I couldn't bear it anymore. I was mortified by it,but, the doctor did reassure me that since my immune system is weak that I couldn't have known that I would contract it(I was afraid at first that she was implying I was dirty LOL!) Now I just have to be super careful about wounds and how quickly I get them cleaned up. No more just licking it and it's good like when you're a kid! LOL
Jynx
Digger, RN
Don't automatically assume that its MRSA unless you've had the test results to confirm it. The Staphylococcus species is very resilient on its own (without any added resistance). While it is probably safe to assume that you suffered a MRSA infection, it could've been plain ole' Staph aureus that took advantage of you condition.
This is totally the geeky surgical nurse in me, and I apologize if you take offense but... that must be one cool looking scar! You have to show it to me sometime
This is totally the geeky surgical nurse in me, and I apologize if you take offense but... that must be one cool looking scar! You have to show it to me sometime
Jynx
Digger, RN
Also (total brain fart! :headbang most Staph species are anaerobic bacteria, meaning they thrive under conditions where there is little to no air. That may be another reason why your doctor told you not to cover the wound... airflow can be very good to inhibit growth. While I personally wouldn't leave an infected wound open to air (mainly to avoid contaminating others), some air flow between dressing changes can definitely be beneficial. I would just make sure to do it when no one else is home, in one area, and keep the puppies and kitties away.
most Staph species are anaerobic bacteria, meaning they thrive under conditions where there is little to no air. That may be another reason why your doctor told you not to cover the wound... airflow can be very good to inhibit growth. While I personally wouldn't leave an infected wound open to air (mainly to avoid contaminating others), some air flow between dressing changes can definitely be beneficial. I would just make sure to do it when no one else is home, in one area, and keep the puppies and kitties away.
Iguanagirl8662
Katie
Thanks for all the info Jynx. I did have my staph infection tested a few times and all came back as MRSA. The doctor said I probably got it from shaving since it was on my leg. I was told to wash with Hipaclens and keep it covered, it only took a month to heal up. I really don't want it to spread to other parts of my body (like organs, muscles or bones) or anything like that and I don't want to get anymore staph infections. I'm alway getting scratches and cuts and normally don't think much of them to clean them out properly(normally I'll just run water over it, lol). I guess I have to take better care of myself if I don't want to get sick again.