Rising rate of MRSA boosts need for education
ID of infection, proper isolation techniques key
Antibiotic-resistant infections are not new to the hospice setting, but headlines throughout the country have increased public awareness of the potential risk of infection.
According to a study by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for only 2% of all Staphylococcus aureus health care-associated infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1972. Today, MRSA accounts for more than 60% of Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Infection control experts point to the need for hospice staff members to be knowledgeable about these organisms in order to minimize risk. Unfortunately, even with increased publicity of MRSA in the community, not all health care providers recognize the infection.
"We don't always know who has MRSA or any other antibiotic-resistant infection because a patient can be a carrier without having an active infection," says Marcia R. Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, director of infection control at Multicare Health Systems in Tacoma, WA.
Although testing of all hospice patients is not practical or necessary, Patrick recommends an increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of bacteria-resistant infections so that treatment can be provided early.
Patients at risk
Patients at highest risk for MRSA or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), the two antibiotic-resistant organisms seen in the community, are those with wounds, catheters, a history of boils, or patients on dialysis, says Patrick. It is critical to recognize these patients higher risk for infection and monitor them carefully, she says. "MRSA often appears as a spider bite that doesn't heal or a wound that won't heal," Patrick adds.
Northwest Community Home Care in Arlington Heights, IL, has an active staff education program designed to heighten awareness of these infections for all staff members, says Shannon Quaritsch, RN, MS, CPHQ, quality improvement specialist. Staff education includes guidelines that identify different organisms and describe the type and duration of isolation necessary to prevent spread of the infection, she says. Inservices include case scenarios that give nurses a chance to discuss the challenges faced by home care providers when a patient must be isolated, points out Quaritsch.
Although nurses use standard precautions in patients' homes, not all nurses were handling patient education in the same way before the awareness program, she admits. "Now, all of the nurses have a checklist that they use to ensure that patients and family caregivers are taught about laundry procedures, the need to clean the patient's area frequently, and the need for gloves or aprons when dealing with body fluids," she says.
Prevention recommendations
One part of Northwest Community Home Care's protocol for antibiotic-resistant infections is the need to culture any unimproved wound at the two-week point, says Quaritsch. "Pressure ulcers are more difficult to culture in the home, so they generally have to be biopsied in the hospital," she adds.
Once MRSA or VRE are diagnosed, patients are started on antibiotics, and caregivers are taught how to keep the patient's area, linens, and clothing clean to prevent the spread of the infection, she says.
It is difficult to treat patients with MRSA in the home because you have to rely upon family caregivers who may not be able to take care of themselves, as well as a patient who requires additional care, says Quaritsch. "They are also reluctant to ask for help, so it is up to the nurse to notice if additional help is needed, or if the patient must be transferred to another provider until the infection is controlled," she says. It is not unusual for a patient with MRSA to go to an extended-care facility for a brief time to ensure proper treatment of the infection, Quaritsch adds.
The best way to approach diagnosis of MRSA and VRE is to realize that MRSA is everywhere, says Patrick. "It all goes back to basic hygiene and washing hands," she says. "Teach patients and staff members to wash hands and the risk of infection decreases." (See tips from the CDC on preventing spread of the infection, below.)
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Methods to Prevent Spread of MRSA Infection in Home
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. |
Need More Information?
For more information about antibiotic-resistant infections, contact:
- Marcia R. Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, Director of Infection Control, Multicare Health Systems, Tacoma, WA. Phone: (253) 403-1622. E-mail: [email protected].
- Shannon Quaritsch, RN, MS, CPHQ, Quality Improvement Specialist, Northwest Community Home Care, Arlington Heights, IL. Phone: (847) 618-7855. E-mail: [email protected].
For information about the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus study conducted by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, go to www.apic.org. Select "Research Foundation" on the top navigational bar, and then select "National MRSA Prevalence Study."
Antibiotic-resistant infections are not new to the hospice setting, but headlines throughout the country have increased public awareness of the potential risk of infection.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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