Patient_Falls

Nursing a patient with MRSA Introduction. I have been asked to write a reflection about nursing a patient with MRSA in a hospital. In my writing I am going to explain what is meant my term MRSA and how it is originated,spread,treated and controled. MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. This term used to describe about the bacteria which are resistant to number of antibiotics including Methicillin. Staphylococcus Aureus is a group of bacteria which lives on the surface of people's skin and inside nose. Normally they are harmless. Most people who carry them are totally unaware that they have it. In fact 30% (NHS choice 2011) of the UK population carries this bacteria in their nose or skin. How MRSA bacteria Spreads MRSA bacteria usually spread through skin to skin contact with someone who already has an infection. And also can spread through contact with towels,sheets,or other objects that have been used by the person who has MRSA. This bacteria can survive for long periods on objects or surfaces, such as door handles,sinks,floors and cleaning equipment. Appearance of MRSA MRSA has appeared for three reasons. Wide spread use of antibiotics,genetic selection and our dislike for use of tablets. Bacteria are constantly evolving because of their genes are constantly changing. The result of this is that some of the bacteria will have more resistance to certain antibiotic than others. In this case the weaker bacteria will be killed and the resistant ones will get longer to die. If they are not treated they will multiply and get more resistant to the antibiotic. Over time this combination of bacterial genetic change and our dislike of tablets has resulted in strains of Staphylococcus Aureus that are resistant to many of antibiotics. That is why Doctors encourage us to finish the course of antibiotics when we are prescribed them. The antibiotic will kill the weaker bacteria and we will start to feel better. Treatments. Because MRSA is resistant to a number of antibiotics, it is harder to treat. However MRSA is not resistant to every antibiotic and most cases MRSA can be treated with Vancomycin,Teicoplanin and Mupirocin. For people with weakened immune system who have become infected with MRSA the best treatments are with the antibiotics Vancomycin and Teicoplanin. These two antibiotics are given as intravenous drip or injections and so are only given to people in hospital. If healthy people found carrying MRSA in their skin or nose can be treated with antibiotic cream Mupirocin. Control of MRSA If a person is suspected of being infected with MRSA, a swab of the infected wound or a sample of blood or urine is taken. Usually the test takes several days as they have to grow the bacteria in the laboratory to identify the results. If a healthy person is found carrying the bacteria then treated with an antibiotic cream called mupirocin. This should be applied to the affected areas of the body, to reduce the chances of infecting other people. In hospital to prevent other patients becoming infected, people with MRSA are treated using barrier nursing techniques. This means that the person may be placed in a separate room and they will be treated by doctors and nurses who will be wearing disposable gloves and aprons. To prevent other people from becoming infected with MRSA,the gloves and aprons will be disposed of and hands will be washed before the health care professionals treat another patient. Alcohol rub should be used when entering and leaving hospital. Ensure any cuts or wounds should be covered with waterproof dressing. The number of MRSA infections in hospital can be kept down if all staff adhere to good hygiene measures. The most important measure is to wash hands before and after patient contact and before and after any procedures. This simple measures can reduce the chance of passing on the bacteria from patient to patient. In England MRSA infection rates in hospitals are falling, compared with four years ago, the number of infections has more than halved. This mainly been done by Better infection control between staff in hospital Deep cleaning of wards Improved hand washing Screening for people who attend hospitals ;;;. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;