Question

Daniel Rosalez came into the clinic with a wound on his lower leg which is red and painful. The physician suspects the patient has MRSA and orders a wound culture. ? What is MRSA?   How should the wound culture be collected? What infection control measures should be followed to ensure that the infection will not be spread to other patients? Is there something the patient should do to prevent another infection or giving it to others?

Answer 1

MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)are usually acquired by a patient in a hospital setting as well as in the community.

While taking wound culture

• The nurse should explain the procedure to the patient.
• Wear new gloves.
• Swab as much exudate as possible and then place the swab in an aerobic culture tube.

The Centers for Disease Control snd Prevention recommend that infection control for antibiotic- resistant organisms consist of Standard Precautions which should be used for all patient care.

• Patients infected with MRSA should be placed in isolation rooms.
• All the persons entering the room must wear disposable gloves.
• Persons who will have contact with the patient or environmental surfaces in the room should wear a disposable gown.
• Wash hands vigorously with antiseptic soap for 30 seconds upon leaving the room.
• Ensure that the unit or floor staff caring for VRE- infected or colonized patients have as little contact as possible with other patients.