Preventing MRSA: Hygiene Measures and Guidelines

Hygiene Measures in Hospitals

To prevent healthcare-associated MRSA, everyone in hospitals should follow these hygiene measures:

• Patients: Reduce infection risk by washing hands after using the toilet, before and after meals, and reporting unclean facilities.
• Visitors: Avoid sitting on beds, use hand wipes or gel before and after visiting, and adhere to ward hygiene protocols.
• Staff: Maintain high hygiene standards, including hand washing before patient care and after handling equipment, and use gloves appropriately.

Specific Guidelines for Hospital Staff

• Thoroughly wash and dry hands before and after patient contact, equipment handling, and bed-making.
• Use disposable gloves when handling open wounds or invasive procedures, and wash hands after glove removal.
• Keep hospital environments clean and dry, particularly floors, toilets, and patient beds.
• Isolate patients with MRSA infections as necessary to prevent spread.

Preventing Community-associated MRSA

To prevent MRSA outside hospital settings:

• Regularly wash hands and shower to reduce bacterial spread.
• Keep fingernails short and clean to prevent bacterial growth.
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, soaps, cosmetics, razors, and hairbrushes.
• Cover skin or soft tissue MRSA infections with dressings as instructed by healthcare providers.
• Dispose of potentially infected materials promptly and safely in designated containers.

Following these guidelines helps reduce the risk of MRSA infection in both hospital and community settings.