Why is MRSA Awareness

in hospitals important?

Hospitals contain people with

weakened immune systems making
them more susceptible for a MRSA
infection.

Many patients have devices attached

to them, such as catheters, that create
a "wound" through which MRSA can
enter the body.

What are some

precautions practiced in
the hospital?
In a hospital to prevent other patients
becoming infected, people with MRSA:
May be placed in a separate
room
Are treated by doctors and
nurses wearing disposable
gloves, aprons
and masks

Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthca
re/index.html

MRSA

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/
mrsa/

Methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus

Medical News Today:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
/articles/10634.php
Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/mrsa/s
ymptoms.html

Lydia Rodriguez
GNRS: 574- Inland Empire
ELM-Nursing Cohort 39

Your
Information
andin
Tips
for
Health
the
Prevention

What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that
is resistant to many antibiotics. In a healthcare setting MRSA can cause
severe problems such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia and
surgical site infections.

How does MRSA spread?

What is

Staphylococcus
aureus?
S. aureus is a group of bacteria
that live on the surface of
people's skin and inside their
nose.

What are the

symptoms of MRSA?
Symptoms of MRSA can start as
small red bumps resembling
pimples or spider bites. They
can quickly become abscesses
that require surgical draining.
In some cases, people have no
signs of MRSA but still
unknowingly carry the bacteria,
risking its spread.

MRSA can spread through direct

physical contact with:

A MRSA-infected wound
MRSA-contaminated hands
MRSA-contaminated equipment
MRSA-contaminated
objects/surfaces

How is MRSA treated?

MRSA can be treated in a number of
ways. Sometimes it is as simple as
draining the infected wound, cleaning
it, and covering it to minimize the
spread of infection. MRSA is not
resistant to every antibiotic, and with
the help of a culture swab, your
healthcare provider can choose the
correct antibiotic to prescribe you.

How can I help prevent

myself from getting
MRSA?
Infection Control:

Keep your hands clean by

washing thoroughly with soap and
water or using an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer.
Keep cuts/scrapes clean and
covered with a bandage until
healed.
Avoid contact with other people's
wounds or bandages.
Avoid sharing personal items
such as uniforms and personal
protective equipment (PPE).

Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, September 16). Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved September 20, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, September 16). MRSA and the workplace. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 20,
2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/mrsa/.
Mayo Clinic. MRSA: Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 20,2013 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/mrsa/symptoms.html.
Medical News Today: Nordqvist, C. (2009, February 11). "What is MRSA? Why is MRSA a concern? How is MRSA treated?" Medical News Today. Retrieved September
20,2013 from, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10634.php.

Photos:
MRSA Microscope:
Bioquell. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Bioquell: Microbiology. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from,
http://www.bioquell.ie/technology/microbiology/methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa/.

Soap:
Breyer, M. (2010, November 16). Haiti needs soap! Care 2 Make a Difference. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from, http://www.care2.com/greenliving/haiti-needssoap.html.
Blue Band Aid:
Car Stickers. (2013). Cute blue Band-Aid bandage sticker. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from,
https://www.carstickers.com/Band_Aid_Bandage_Car_Stickers_and_Decals.php
Hand Washing:
Cobos, Rafael. (2012, October 27). Effective hand hygiene in reducing the spread of infections. Destination green. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from,
http://site.destinationgreen.com/?p=2526.
Nurses in PPE:
Guterl, G.O. (2011, February 22). In the wash: Bleach, sufficient water, full cycles and high temperature essential to disinfecting or PPE. Advance Web. Retrieved
September 20, 2013 from, http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-Archives/In-the-Wash.aspx.
Antibiotics:
Levine, B. (2013, March 27). The effects of antibiotics are too dangerous to ignore. Natural Health 365. Retrieved September 20, 2013 from,
http://www.naturalhealth365.com/drug_dangers/antibiotic_use.html.