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MRSA Prevention Products

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for Methicillin (or Multi) Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is distinguished from other bacteria by its resistance to most antibiotics including all penicillin (methicillin is a form of penicillin) and cephalosporins.

Approximately 30% of the population carry Staphylococcus Aureus in their noses or on their skin without causing any infections.

Infections caused by MRSA

MRSA causes problems mainly in those who have either been in hospital for a prolonged period, those in long term care, individuals with a compromised immune system or people with a chronic debilitating disease. It causes infections in the blood stream, urine, lungs, wound and around catheters or drips. And manifests itself as anything from boils, skin conditions, blood infections and less commonly as pneumonia. MRSA can also produce toxins which cause gastro-enteritis after eating contaminated food.

Survival

Bacteria have been around for much longer than humans and much of this longevity can be owed to "survival of the fittest", what this basically means is that bacteria are constantly mutating to adapt to surroundings etc.

When someone is prescribed a course of antibiotics and does not finish it, it is possible that bacteria may survive in the body. The bacteria may then develop a resistance to the drug, this in turn means that next time you encounter Staphylococcus aureus for example it may be a resistant strain. If this develops into an infection it is harder each time to find an antibiotic to fight it.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing at an alarming rate. According to the PHLS (Public Health Laboratory Service)

In 1992 just 2% of Staphylococcus aureus infections reported (where methicillin susceptibility information was provided) were methicillin resistant. By 2001 this figure had risen to 42%.

Transmission

MRSA is primarily a problem of cross-infection as it is mainly transmitted by direct contact, this is when an individual has MRSA on their hands (either from being a carrier or from touching an infected individual), this person then touches another person without cleaning their hands thus passing it on.

MRSA Prevention

The first line of attack for the general public is to always finish a course of prescribed antibiotics and not insist on taking them for viruses etc. where they have no effect.

Doctors have also been advised to only prescribe antibiotics when necessary to try and reduce the number of resistant bacteria.

For any health care worker or care giver who is dealing with MRSA patients or patients in general the best method to prevent transmission to other patients or risk of infection is regular and effective hand hygiene.

Hands should be cleaned in-between patients whether gloves have been worn or not.

Following this simple advise could dramatically reduce the transmission of MRSA and other bacteria.

schülke MRSA Prevention Products

schülke offer an extensive range of MRSA prevention products products to combat the problems posed by MRSA. These products include: desderman® N rub and gel, terralin® protect, terralin® liquid, mikrozid® liquid and gigasept® FF.

Update

"This technical bulletin was developed on May 2003. This is the information available at that time. New updates on the topic will be posted here."

Further information

Information on MRSA can be found on the following web sites: