Hand Washing - The Fight Against MRSA

To be honest, I have never heard of MRSA before I attended the town hall talk by CEO. Even after listening to him, I am still left wondering what MRSA is and why it merited such attention from the Boss.

I did a fair bit of research and I now know what the fuss is all about, and rightfully so.

When Did MRSA First Appeared?
MRSA is a Superbug that was was first identified in the 19th Century. It was kept at bay until the mid-90s when numerous so-called 'epidemic' strains appeared.

What Is MRSA?
MRSA stands for Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. It is commonly referred to in the media as a 'Superbug'.

How Common Is It?
The Staph aureus bacteria is carried by almost one-third of the human population and 10 percent of this number carry the MRSA strain. This accounts for 3% of the population. Any one of these carriers can directly or indirectly cause an MRSA infection.

How Does It Spread?
a. It usually enters the body through an open wound.
b. By indirect contact with someone who did not clean his hands properly.
c. When a care environment has not been appropriately cleaned.

What Are The Symptoms?
Many people infected by MRSA do not show any symptoms, but when it gets into the system then it can show itself through boils, infected wounds, abscesses and skin infections. In serious cases where the virus enters into the bloodstream, it can develop into blood poisoning, joint problems and infection of the bone marrow, lung and heart lining.


Is It Treatable?
Yes. Some people go on to clear MRSA without any treatment required. In a hospital setting, a patient can undergo a variety of investigations and be prescribed with antiseptic skin masks, shampoos and creams. Certain antibiotics will be prescribed in the event of a suspected infection. Severe infections will have to be treated in the hospital.


How Can We Stop It Spreading?
With good old-fashioned hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water or an antibacterial hand-rub, before and after contact with ANY patient is the best defense we have against MRSA.

Patients should also wash their hands after using the toilet, before and after eating or preparing food. Gloves should be worn to prevent the bacteria spreading.

If I Have MRSA, How Do I Protect Other?
Use your own toiletries; do not share.
Regular cleaning of hands when eating, going to the toilet, coughing or sneezing.
Make sure friends and relatives adhere to visitor guidelines and wash hands.
Make sure you finish any prescribed antibiotic course.
Ensure all personal items are kept clean.

Do Your Part
Don't be afraid to ask your carers if they have washed their hands. They will expect it and by doing so you will be helping to control the infection.

Now that we know what MRSA is and the importance of hygiene, particularly hand hygiene by proper hand-washing, and how each of us could potentially be the 'Weak Link' that CEO spoke about in his recent town hall talks, we must take on the responsibility to ensure that we are not identified as this weak link that results in the continual growth rate of infection.



Palm to palm ...... Palm to back ...... Interlace fingers .... Interlock fingers


Hand hygiene in any hospital settings is as important as the expertise the medical specialist brings along with him. No amount of treatment will do any good if we continue to be the weak links that keep germs alive
and transmitting them because of our lackadaisical outlook on a simple thing like the washing of hands.


Thumb rub ....... Fingers to palm ...... Wrist scrub ............ Rinse

HIS will be seeing the introduction of a hand-washing drive from next week and you may want to know that Ritta and myself have been appointed Hand Hygiene Auditors to ensure compliance by each of you, on the standard expected of this hand-washing exercise.