Question

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the more prevalent nosocomial infections in healthcare faculties today. Any patient with a compromised immune system or open wound is susceptible to contracting MRSA from medical staff or even family members. Although MRSA is commonly connected to healthcare facilities, MRSA can be found anywhere.

Discuss who you believe to be at the highest risk for MRSA outside the healthcare environment? Explain. Discuss the common fomites or transmission factors involved as well as the preventative measures the public can do to reduce or prevent MRSA infections.

Answer 1

METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

People at the risk of MRSA outside the heathcare environment is also called COMMUNITY ASSOCIATED MRSA.

1) Highest risk for MRSA outside the healthcare environment:

a) Living in crowded environment and unhygienic conditions. people in crowded environments are theaters,jails,military camps,schools,colleges,gyms,public places,stadiums etc. Homeless peoples are living in the unhgienic environments.They are at the higher risk of MRSA infection. It is easily spreads through the air.

b) Havinng an invasive medical devices such as intravenous lines or urinary catheters are at higher risks of MRSA infections.

c) Mens having sex with mens are called homosexual and they are at higher risks.

d) Direct contact with cuts,abrasions or discharges from infected persons.

e) Weak immune symtems like HiV infected peoples.

f) Peoples with chronic skin infections.

g) Peoples with pneumonia can transmit easily through coughing or sneezing.

h) peoples who are in contact sports such as boxing, football, volleyball are at higher risk of injuries with MRSA infection.

TRANSMISSION FACTORS OF MRSA INFECTION:

1) Direct skin to skin contact

2) Sharing personal items such as hand kercheif, bedsheets, water bottles,towels.

3) Crowding in schools, colleges, gyms, prisons, military barracks etc

4) Direct contact with wouunds and discharges from infected sites.

COMMON FOMITES: ( objects carrying infection and transmitting it )

1) Razors

2) Towels

3) Door handles

4) Hand dryers

5) Water bottles

6) Deodorants

7) Coins

8) Ceramics

9) Bed sheets

10) Wood

PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATED MRSA INFECTION:

1) HAND WASHING:

Washing hands with soap and water at least for 15 seconds. Using hand sanitizer helps to kill germs in the hands.

2) PROPER CARING OF WOUNDS:

Wounds such as cuts and abrasions should be kept clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages from the outside environment. The pus and other fluids in the wound may contain MRSA organisms. So keeping the wound covered and periodicaly cleaning prevent from MRSA infection.

3) AVOID SHARING PERSONAL ITEMS:

Sharing personal items such as hand kerchief, towels, cloths, shaving razors, uniforms should be avoided. Because MRSA spreads through direct contact with the infected persons or from fomites.

4) BATHING AFTER GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS:

Showering after the games removes the germs in the body. Using soap is best to prevent from MRSA infection.

5) MAINTAINING PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE:

- Washing cloths with hot water and disinfectant

- Cleaning the house periodically

- Cleaning the wounds with antiseptic solution

- Taking bath with soaps

6) Avoid contact with persons with wounds.

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