1. to Ensure Employee and Patient Safety

AGENCY NAME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES PATIENT FOCUSED SERVICES ______SUBJECT: Methicillin Resistant Staphylo- PREPARED BY: Infection Control coccus Aureus (MRSA): Care of Committee a Patient Colonized or Infected

NEW: REVISED: X DATE: October 29, 2000

POLICY: X PROCEDURE: X REVIEW DATE: September 7, 2001

APPLIES TO: Home Health, Clinics, APPROVED BY: ExtraCare, Maternal Infant

PURPOSE

1. To ensure employee and patient safety. 2. To reduce/control MRSA transmission.

NOTES:

1. MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus Aureus that is resistant to most antibiotics. Vancomycin is the most reliable antibiotic for treatment of MRSA. 2. Patients who are infected or colonized with MRSA can act as reservoirs for transmission to home health personnel, family/caregivers. 3. MRSA can be transmitted from person to person via poorly or unwashed hands, contaminated equipment, or clothing. 4. Home health care providers who touch their nose with unwashed hands are at risk for colonization of MRSA. 5. MRSA can live up to 14 days in the environment.

POLICY

1. Standard Precautions must be adhered to with all patients. 2. Handwashing must be done before and after contact with any home health patient. 3. Must wear barriers when appropriate for care:  Gloves  Mask  Yellow gown (disposable)  Shoe covers (when determined appropriate)

4. Optimally, assign one clinician to care for MRSA patient. The clinician should schedule the MRSA patient for the last visit of the day. If unable to schedule in this manner, contact your supervisor.

Care of the Patient Colonized or Infected with MRSA PROCEDURE

1. Handwashing must be done before and after each patient visit. Wet hands, apply antibacterial soap, lather, scrub for 30 seconds, rinse under running water, dry hands thoroughly with clean paper towel. Turn faucet off with clean, dry paper towel. 2. Gloves must be worn for all patient contact. Gloves must be changed between procedures and if heavily soiled with body fluids. 3. Gowns must be worn when appropriate for a patient with a known diagnosis of MRSA. 4. Masks must be worn when appropriate for a patient with a known diagnosis of MRSA. 5. Shoe covers will be worn when determined appropriate. 6. No special treatment for linens, clothing, or waste.

DOCUMENT

1. All involved staff have been informed of MRSA diagnosis.

ATTACHMENT

1. Antibiotic Resistant Organisms to Keep in Check

Care of the Patient Colonized or Infected with MRSA