MRSA is one of the most common nosocomial infections in health care faculties today. Any patient with a compromised immune system or open wound is susceptible to contracting MRSA from medical staff or even family members. This paper is going to discuss those at risk of MRSA outside the health care environment as well as the transmission factors involved together with the preventative measures the public can do to reduce or prevent MRSA infections.
Although MRSA is commonly connected to health care facilities, it can be found outside the health care environment. People with open wounds or compromised immune system are the ones most susceptible to contracting MRSA. Others include those with extreme age such as the elderly and young children. People under antibiotic therapy, with chronic illness as well as those with invasive devices or procedures, are also at high risk of contracting MRSA.
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MRSA can survive outside the body of host for an indeterminate time because of its resilient nature. The MRSA pathogen has three major modes of transmission. The first mode is from patient to the healthcare worker; the second one entails transmission from patient to another patient but through a healthcare worker who serves as the vector. The third mode is from healthcare worker to a patient. The transmission of MRSA is dependent on broken skin, compromised hygiene, improper use of antibiotics as well as a compromised immune system.
Several preventative measures can be used by the public to reduce as well as prevent MRSA infections. These measures include washing hands thoroughly before going to the non-patient areas, changing the clothes worn during clinical practice before leaving for home, teaching people on the proper use of antibiotics, covering of lesions and wounds, good personal hygiene and encouraging disinfection of shopping cart handles in the supermarket.
Reference
MRSA: A growing threat in both community and healthcare settings - American Nurse Today. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/mrsa-a-growing-threat-in- both-community-and-healthcare-settings/
