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Infection Control
27/03/2009
What is MRSA? MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus which is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the antibacterial activity of methicillin and other related antibiotics commonly used to treat infections. Staphyloccus aureus is a type of germ commonly found on the skin and/or in the noses of healthy people. Although it is usually harmless at these sites, it may occasionally get into the body through broken skin such as abrasions, cuts, wounds, surgical incisions or indwelling catheters, and cause infection. Infections can be mild, causing abscesses and boils, or more serious, causing blood poisoning.
As part of our Infection Control Policy at St. Hugh’s Hospital we have a strict MRSA screening programme. As well as this certain patients undergoing surgery use an antiseptic body wash prior to their admission into hospital which destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria. This usually commences five days prior to admission and continues through to discharge home.
The use of single occupancy rooms and strict cleaning regimes also minimises any risk of infection once an inpatient. There have been no known cases of hospital acquired infections or MRSA at St. Hugh’s Hospital.
Clostridium Difficile
Prevention of Clostridium Difficile infection relies on ensuring that our patients do not become susceptible through disruption of their normal gut flora and on preventing as far as possible their exposure to the organism. These approaches are implemented through careful measures to control antibiotic usage and through routine infection control procedures.
The main control measures we use at St. Hugh’s Hospital are effective hand washing by both staff and patients, adherence to disinfection and sterilisation policies, environmental cleaning and strict isolation of patients with diarrhoea pending diagnosis.
