MRSA (sometimes referred to as the superbug) stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
About one in three of us carries MRSA on the surface of our skin, or in our nose. Despite the reputation that MRSA has for causing severe infection, the vast majority of patients who become MRSA carriers experience no adverse effects.
Most MRSA infections, which can be caused through breaks in the skin for example, can be treated with antibiotics such as methicillin (a type of penicillin). However, MRSA is becoming increasingly resistant to most commonly used antibiotics.
To help combat the spread of MRSA in our hospitals, NHS Bath and North East Somerset (NHS B&NES) operates a thorough infection control policy. As part of that policy patients found to be carrying MRSA either before or when admitted to hospital are offered treatment that is easily administered to remove it from their skin.
Occasionally patients may need to be isolated in a single room when they are admitted to hospital. This is normal procedure and helps prevent the spread of MRSA.
NHS B&NES gives a high priority to protecting patients and staff from infection and we pride ourselves on implementing evidence based infection control measures and maintaining high standards for prevention of hospital acquired infection.
Statement of compliance
NHS Bath and North East Somerset is committed to reducing the risks to its population from healthcare associated infections, including Meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile and as a commissioner has a leadership role in achieving this objective.
The Department of Health has instructed healthcare trusts to instigate screening of all elective admissions for MRSA by the end of March 2009. The delivery arm of NHS Bath and North East Somerset has developed its MRSA screening policy, in liaison with partner providers to ensure a harmonized approach to this initiative. Key personnel have been consulted on the development and logistics of implementing such a policy. As a community provider, NHS B&NES has very few elective admissions which are mainly in respect of blood transfusions - these will be screened from 31 March 2009.
Audit of compliance with this policy will be undertaken, in collaboration with the Clinical Audit Facilitator, by clinical staff with guidance from the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses as part of the Annual Infection Prevention and Control Audit Programme.
Compliance with this policy is an integral part of the root cause analysis of cases of MRSA blood stream infection and is monitored as part of the analysis of lessons learnt from these investigations.
Screening Policy for MRSA