MRSA information

At Provena Health, we are committed to providing you with the best care. Because your health and safety are important to us, we are taking part in state and national patient safety programs to reduce the risk of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has recognized that there are bacteria, or germs, both inside and outside the hospital of special concern because they are resistant to antibiotic treatment and can cause infection. Antibiotic resistance is growing into a worldwide problem.

People can carry germs in their body without symptoms, and they can unknowingly be passed from patient to patient if important steps are not taken. A very important germ (bacteria) that may be resistant to many antibiotics is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is commonly found on the skin or in the nose.

Prevention and Control of MRSA in the Hospital

• Infection control practitioners in our facilities have implemented standards for hand hygiene among employees and report compliance with hand washing on an ongoing basis. 
• Patient placement decisions are made in accordance with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control. 
• If necessary, all healthcare staff (doctors, nurses, lab, radiology personnel, etc.) and visitors will be wearing gloves and possibly gowns while caring for you or visiting you. The presence of these bacteria does not require treatment unless you have infection.
• Our staff is working diligently to protect you from infection while you are in the hospital as well as to protect you from infections after you go home. Information about MRSA is available, and you can ask your nurse for this information at any time.

Prevention and Control of MRSA in the Community

• Hand washing is the most effective way of preventing the spread of any germ, including MRSA.
• Keep infections, particularly those that produce pus or drainage, covered with clean, dry bandages.
• Persons who expect to have contact with an infected wound should wear gloves, and wash their hands after removing the gloves.
• Avoid sharing personal items (e.g. towels, washcloths, and clothing) that may have come in contact with the infected wound.
• Seek medical advice if you think you may have a staph or MRSA infection (skin infection or spider bite).

More information about MRSA

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) are bacteria commonly found in the nose and on the skin of healthy people. Staph with resistance to the antibiotic methicillin (and other related antibiotics) is known as methicillin-resistant aureus or "MRSA."

There has been nationwide press about methiciilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or "MRSA."

MRSA was primarily seen in the hospital setting. Most people with MRSA have a history of recent hospitalizations, surgery, dialysis, residence in a long-term facility, or an implanted medical device (such as a catheter).

MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently hospitalized or had a medical procedure are known as community acquired MRSA infections.

Staph infections are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States.  Localized infections include boils, impetigo, and wound infections.  Severe MRSA infections occur when the bacteria spreads inside the body and cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical wound infections.

Staph bacteria can be spread by close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.