Infection Control: MRSA in outpatient surgery: Now what?
Terri D. Link MPH, RN, CNOR

$3.95 		OR Nurse 2013
January 2012 
Volume 6  Number 1
Pages 8 - 10
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Identifying, on admission, a patient who has a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or colonization is difficult. But adhering to established standards and guidance can help OR nurses identify and care for these patients, while preventing the inadvertent spread of MRSA throughout the perioperative area.Having patients shower preoperatively with chlorhexidine or use 2% chlorhexidine no-rinse cloths has been shown to decrease MRSA colonization and reduce the rate of surgical site infections.1 Teach patients about chlorhexidine showers or chlorhexidine no-rinse cloths in the surgical clinic, and reinforce this teaching in the preprocedure testing area.Inadvertent exposure to pathogens can cause infections leading to significant morbidity or mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients.2 MRSA is the most common healthcare-associated infection, increasing patient morbidity and mortality, and hospital costs.3 Community-associated MRSA also is on the rise. The CDC has received reports of infections in athletes, children, prisoners, military personnel, and full-term infants that were both phenotypically and genotypically characterized as community-associated strains.4-9 A veterinary study found MRSA infection and colonization of animals and pets, which could be transmitted to humans.10,11 Healthcare professionals must stay aware of the challenges presented by MRSA.12Early identification of infected or colonized patients is key. In institutions such as the Veterans Affairs hospitals, all patients admitted or transferred from another healthcare facility are isolated and screened for MRSA.13 Facilities should have processes in place for early identification of patients at risk for MRSA infection or colonization.Patients at risk for MRSA include those admitted to a long-term-care facility within the past year; patients with at least one chronic illness and a previous hospital admission within the past year; patients with a history of MRSA, HIV, injection

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