Infection Control Case Study Assignment
Table of Contents
MRSA Infection in Australia………………………………………………………
HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA…………………………………………………………………
Risk Factors………………….…………………………………………………….
Topics Related to the Patient……………..………………………………………..
Hand hygiene…………………………………………………………………………………..
Infection control……………………………………………………………………………….
Personal Protective Equipment…………………………………………………...…………..
Multidisciplinary Team...………………………………………………………….
Community Registered Nurse…………………………………………………………………
General Practitioner……………………………………………………………………………
Pharmacist……………………………………………………………………………………..
MRSA Infection in Australia
The problem of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has become a problem in Australian hospitals since 1960s (Nirwan, Srivastava and Abbas, 2015). Staphylococcus aureus is among the most widespread pathogens which cause a variety of infections. Approximately, 20-40% of adult population have S. aureus. The emergence of both hospital acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) MRSA has lead to increased level of invasive infections. In 1965, the first case of MRSA infection was recorded in Australia. Decade after decade this infection emerged in other countries (Nirwan, Srivastava and Abbas, 2015). In 1980, CA-MRSA infection was detected in the United States (Nirwan, Srivastava and Abbas, 2015). Both HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA are transmitted through skin to skin contact. MRSA invasion into communities is one of today's concerns for microbiologists.
HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA
The difference between HA- and CA-MRSA infection is in the period of its occurrence. If MRSA infection emerges earlier than 48 hours of the patient's hospitalization, it is considered community-acquired. If MRSA infection occurs after 48 hours of the patient's hospitalization, it is considered hospital-acquired infection (Nirwan, Srivastava and Abbas, 2015). HA-MRSA infection may occur after dialysis or surgery.
The most typical clinical manifestation of Staphylococcus aureus is skin and soft tissue infections, predominantly ulcers (Williamson, Coombs and Nimmo, 2014). MRSA is a common cause of many therapeutic problems experienced by the hospital patients. MRSA infection spreads because of the misuse of antibiotics. HA-MRSA is one of the troubled concerns for healthcare workers in hospital settings.
When MRSA emerged in 1961, it was exclusively observed in the hospital environment, where antibiotic of broad-spectrum is used most commonly (O’Sullivan, 2013). Community-acquired MRSA first emerged in the sites of overcrowding, poor hygiene, social disadvantage, and poor access to healthcare services (O’Sullivan, 2013). The researches showed that CA-MRSA differed from HA-MRSA on a genetic basis. CA-MRSA infection first emerged in remote Aboriginal communities of Australia (O’Sullivan, 2013). However, MRSA quickly spread to other countries and became one of the major causes of hospital-acquired infection in the world.
II. Risk Factors
The study conducted Graffunder and Venezia (2002) identified six risk factors associated with MRSA infection. The risk factors for developing MRSA infection include previous hospitalization, surgery, longer length of stay before acquiring infection, macrolide use, floxacin use, and enteral feedings. The rate of surgical site infection was high in patients with MRSA. Approximately 50% of all MRSA patients gained this infection through surgery.
The risk for acquiring HA-MRSA infection is higher in those patients who have an open wound, cut or burn in the skin, a serious health problem, long-term skin conditions such as psoriasis or leg ulcer, had recent surgery, an intravenous drip, or take antibiotics frequently (Nhs.uk, 2015). Mr Bowditch could have gained MRSA infection through wound …
