| Q. We have always screened new admissions
to our facility for MRSA colonization in their nares. Should
we continue this? |
| A. Routine nares cultures for MRSA of residents are not
indicated unless the resident is epidemiologically implicated
in an MRSA outbreak. (Procedures for
Obtaining Cultures to Identify MRSA) |
| Q. What drug(s) should we use to treat
(decolonize) a resident with MRSA in their nares? |
| A. Decolonization of MRSA from residents should only be
done in consultation with an infectious disease physician
and only in an outbreak situation to decrease the possibility
of promoting further antimicrobial resistance. (Decolonization)
|
| Q. Do we still need to place a resident
with MRSA colonization in the nares on contact precautions? |
| A. A resident who is known to have MRSA in the nares ONLY
does not need to be placed on contact precautions. However,
this individual should, if possible, be placed with another
resident with MRSA colonization or infection or with a resident
with no tubes or wounds. (Room
Placement and Activities) |
| Q. When discontinuing contact precautions,
we have always obtained two negative nares cultures along
with two negative site cultures. Do we still need to do
this? |
| A. It is no longer necessary to obtain negative nares
cultures in order to discontinue contact precautions on
a resident. Two negative cultures of the infected body site,
obtained no less than one week apart, are sufficient. (Termination
of Precautions) |
| Q. Do these residents have to stay
in their rooms? |
|
A. Even if they are on contact precautions, those residents
who are colonized or infected with MRSA may, if they feel
like it, go anywhere in the facility and attend activities
as long as the infected site is covered, and the resident
observes meticulous hand washing An alcohol-based waterless
hand cleaner may be given to the resident to facilitate
handwashing. (Room Placement
and Activities)
|
| Q. Under what circumstances should
we culture our healthcare workers for MRSA in the nares?
|
| A. Nares cultures for MRSA from healthcare workers should
not be done unless there is an outbreak situation and the
culturing has been recommended by DHMH Outbreak Division,
Local Health Department Communicable Disease Staff, or Infection
Control staff. (Employee Health)
|
| Q. We have always screened new admissions
to our facility for MRSA colonization in their nares. Should
we continue this? |
| A. Routine nares cultures for MRSA of residents are not
indicated unless the resident is epidemiologically implicated
in an MRSA outbreak. (Procedures for
Obtaining Cultures to Identify MRSA) |
| Q. What drug(s) should we use to treat
(decolonize) a resident with MRSA in their nares? |
| A. Decolonization of MRSA from residents should only be
done in consultation with an infectious disease physician
and only in an outbreak situation to decrease the possibility
of promoting further antimicrobial resistance. (Decolonization)
|
| Q. Do we still need to place a resident
with MRSA colonization in the nares on contact precautions? |
| A. A resident who is known to have MRSA in the nares ONLY
does not need to be placed on contact precautions. However,
this individual should, if possible, be placed with another
resident with MRSA colonization or infection or with a resident
with no tubes or wounds. (Room
Placement and Activities) |
| Q. When discontinuing contact precautions,
we have always obtained two negative nares cultures along
with two negative site cultures. Do we still need to do
this? |
| A. It is no longer necessary to obtain negative nares
cultures in order to discontinue contact precautions on
a resident. Two negative cultures of the infected body site,
obtained no less than one week apart, are sufficient. (Termination
of Precautions) |
| Q. Do these residents have to stay
in their rooms? |
| A. Even if they are on contact precautions, those residents
who are colonized or infected with MRSA may, if they feel
like it, go anywhere in the facility and attend activities
as long as the infected site is covered, and the resident
observes meticulous handwashing. An alcohol-based waterless
hand cleaner may be given to the resident to facilitate
handwashing. (Room Placement and
Activities) |
| Q. Which residents should be included
on the MRSA line listing? |
| A. Include any resident who is colonized or infected with
MRSA at any site OTHER THAN the nares. A resident who is
known to have MRSA in the nares only does not need to be
included on the line listing. (Surveillance)
|
| Q. Under what circumstances should
we culture our healthcare workers for MRSA in the nares?
|
A. Nares cultures for MRSA from healthcare workers should
not be done unless there is an outbreak situation and the
culturing has been recommended by DHMH Outbreak Division,
Local Health Department Communicable Disease Staff, or Infection
Control staff.
(Employee Health) |
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