Preventing the spread of MRSA

The easiest way to stop the spread of MRSA (meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and other organisms in hospitals is by everyone practising good hand hygiene.

Organisms such as MRSA can be spread very easily from person to person by direct contact, such as hands.

However, MRSA can also be removed very easily with good hand washing using soap and water or alternatively, by the use of hand hygiene gel on visibly clean hands.

Because MRSA can be passed on by person to person contact, we need the help of patients and visitors as well as our staff to help prevent the spread of this germ. 
 
If you are a visitor, please wash your hands before and after visiting your friend or relative.

You can use traditional soap and water or the hand hygiene gels provided.

These are alcohol based and kill germs very effectively.

Also, please use the chairs provided rather than sit on your relative or friend's bed.

You should also report any unclean areas within the hospital wards to a member of staff, so we can take action.

Whether you are a patient or a visitor please don't be afraid to ask the doctor or nurse if they have cleaned their hands before they treat you or your relative or friend.

Treatment of MRSA

MRSA can usually be treated.

There are antibiotics other than the group that meticillin belongs to, which can be given if a person is unwell with an MRSA infection.

Other medications, such as antiseptic wash and nasal ointments can also be used to remove MRSA from the nose and skin when it is considered to be harmful to a patient for example, before surgery.