Similar to the majority of living organisms, bacteria are able to adapt and change depending on their environment. Contrary to other larger living organisms such as humans, bacteria are able to transform and multiply at a more rapid pace, allowing these microorganisms to evolve and become resistant to medications that are commonly used to treat them such as antibiotics. These altered bacteria are oftentimes referred to as “super bugs” as they are unaffected by typical treatments involving the use of antibiotics (NIH, n.d.). Two highly infectious examples of these bacteria are Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE). In the physical therapy setting, physical therapist and physical therapist assistants …show more content…
They can be the most prepared in their practice by being educated on the precautions to take when dealing with these bacterium, knowing how MRA and VRE can affect the patient population, as well as implementing modifications as are needed in a therapy setting when working with individuals who may be infected. MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus (Staph) Aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive coccal bacterium that is commonly found in the nose and on the surface of the epidermis of healthy patients, which act as a part of the normal flora, whereas, MRSA can commonly be found on the surface of the skin near the mouth, genitalia and the rectum. (MRSA symptoms, n.d.). MRSA is a specific strain of staph that over time has mutated to become resistant to most antibiotics. MRSA is referred to as being methicillin resistant because that antibiotic, methicillin is the primary antibiotic that is used to treat most strains of Staph aureus and unfortunately this particular strain of Staph, MRSA, is unaffected by its typical antibiotic treatment. MRSA is most commonly acquired nosocomial infection, or more commonly known as a hospital acquired infection. Though it is not as likely, there is a slight possibility of becoming infected with MRSA …show more content…
The Shepherrd Center, a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Georgia, takes into consideration that by nature, rehabilitation as it relates to physical therapy requires a lot of physical contact (Testing for MRSA, 2013). Even with the universal precautions in place within a facility, the overall likelihood of cross contamination and the passing infections either by direct or indirect contact are at an all time high. As a result of this increased risk of spreading the MRSA infection, the Shepherrd Center implemented a way to identify MRSA within their specific patient population before they are admitted. They proposed that as individuals come in, each one is given nasal swabs while their medical histories and current evaluations are taken. This initial assessment allows for the healthcare staff to be better prepared for the possible infections that each patient may carry into their treatment facility. Since executing this practice, the Shepherred Center has seen a 43% reduction in healthcare-acquired MRSA rates (Testing for MRSA, 2013). The Shepherred Center is able to continue with this initial screening assessment without increasing patient cost because the money saved from
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or more commonly, MRSA, is an emerging infectious disease affecting many people worldwide. MRSA, in particular, is a very interesting disease because although many people can be carriers of it, it generally only affects those with a depressed immune system; this is why it is so prevalent in places like nursing homes and hospitals. It can be spread though surgeries, artificial joints, tubing, and skin-to-skin contact. Although there is not one specific treatment of this disease, there are ways to test what antibiotics work best and sometimes antibiotics aren’t even necessary.
Methicillin Staphylococcus aureus is defined as strains of bacteria that are resistant to beta-lactam agents, including the synthetic penicillins (eg, methicillin, oxacillin) and the cephalosporins. MRSA can resist the effects of many common antibiotics, so it is difficult to treat. If the infection spreads to the blood stream and becomes systemic may increases risk for life threatening complications. First sign of MRSA are small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. Next they may mature into deep and painful abscesses that require surgical draining. If the bacteria is not confined to the skin and infect the blood stream, causing potentially fatal infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), specifically those involving multi-drug resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as higher cost of healthcare and longer length of hospital stays for patients. Each year, millions of people acquire infections while receiving care, treatment, and services in hospitals and other health care organizations.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a bacterium that is resistant to many available high- level beta-lactam antibiotics, which include penicillins, “antistaphylococcal” penicillins and cephalosporins. Staphyloccoci are the most important bacteria that cause disease in humans. MRSA is sometimes branded as a nosocomial infection as it usually plagues patients that are receiving treatment in a hospital. The skin is the most common site of infection, where MRSA can cause cellulitis, folliculitis, or boils in the skin, but can also commonly be found in the nose, underarm, groin, upper respiratory tract, intestine, vagina and rectal areas of the body. MRSA infections occur with there is a break in the skin that allows the Methicillin resistant
Both health care-associated and community-associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain antibiotics. In some cases, antibiotics may not be necessary. For example, doctors may drain a superficial abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs. In the hospital, people who are infected or colonized with MRSA often are placed in contact precautions as a measure to prevent the spread of MRSA. Visitors and health care workers caring for people in isolation may be required to wear protective garments and must follow strict hand hygiene procedures. Contaminated surfaces and laundry items should be properly disinfected. Preventing MRSA includes careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 62 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help prevent the bacteria from spreading. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic
A) Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also called “staph”, cause the infectious agent (pathogen) MRSA. MRSA or “mercer” stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This strain of staph is resistant to most antibiotics and can be fatal. MRSA Staph infections are caused by excessive antibiotic use, which has resulted from routine prescriptions for colds, flu, and viral infections that are unresponsive to these drugs. The antibiotics that are in
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus also referred to as MRSA is a type bacterium that becomes immune to many antibiotics used to treat even the most common infection. MRSA has become an issue in hospitals around the globe as it is known to constanly change over time. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA) usually occurs in day care home, hospitals and other related health care facilities. It was reported that in 2005 the majority of all infection related cases came from an antibiotic-resistant bacterium, resulting in a high rate of death (Tacconelli, et al 2007). In 1961 (Enright, et al 2002) methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA) was first discovered in the United Kingdom and later made its way to Asia and after to the United States.
“Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of preventable nosocomial infections and is endemic in hospitals worldwide” (Sadsad, Sintchenko, McDonnell, Gilbert, p.1, 2013). MRSA is a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics that are usually used to treat staphylococcus infections. MRSA is mostly found on the skin, but can also be seen in wound or sputum. Nurses and other healthcare workers can help prevent the spread of MRSA by maintaining a good hand washing hygiene, putting patients in isolated rooms. However, patients with a history of MRSA should have an indicator on the door to inform staff of the infection. Nurses and other staff that will have physical contact with patients should be meticulous about using standard precautions, such as wearing protective equipment like gowns and gloves when handling patients with
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that is responsible for several infections in humans like pneumonia, bloodstream infection, etc. Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus was first identified among hospitalized patients in 1960s. MRSA is any strain of Staphylococcus aureus developed through the process of natural selection and resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins (methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins. It is of huge concern in hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes, where the patients are at high risk due to open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems. MRSA infections that occur in hospitals are known as Hospital Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA).
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a harmful and virulent antibiotic resistant bacterium that is a major concern in most American hospitals. Modern scientists are aiming to discover effective prevention methods for MRSA in hospitals, so productive prevention guidelines can be created. Clinical microbiologists such as K. Nguyen, J. Cepeda, and M. Struelens all conducted clinical trials in separate American hospitals. They employed different MRSA inhibition techniques, such as hand hygiene, isolation, and MRSA screenings, which were tested on a wide
MRSA, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria first identified in the late 1960s. It may live on the skin and present in wounds, blood, urine or sputum. The bacterium is spread by direct contact with in infection or indirect contact with infected surfaces or items. Its origin can be either community acquired (CA-MRSA) or hospital acquired (HA-MRSA).
The most pervasive anti-toxin safe disease that must be considered and comprehend in the current world is the "Methicillin-safe Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination". It is caused by a strain of Staphylococcus microbes that have created impervious to the basic anti-microbial for treating ordinary staphylococcic aureus disease. This anti-microbial safe contamination happened in patients living in doctor's facilities. The MRSA disease in the healing centers is caused by utilizing obtrusive gadgets or strategies, for example, intravenous tubing and surgeries.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus also known as MRSA a bacterial staph infection. MRSA causes skin infections that can be painful, swollen and very contagious. There are two types of MRSA, Community-acquired MRSA (CA - MRSA) and Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA).
Infection control is very important in the health care profession. Health care professionals, who do not practice proper infection control, allow themselves to become susceptible to a number of infections. Among the most dreaded of these infections are: hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Another infection which has more recently increased in prevalence is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These infections are all treated differently. Each infection has its own symptoms, classifications, and incubation periods. These infections are transmitted in very similar fashions, but they do not all target the same population.
Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive coccal bacterium that is a member of the Firmicutes, and is frequently found in the nose, respiratory tract, and on the skin. It is often positive for catalase and nitrate reduction. Although S. aureus is not always pathogenic, it is a common cause of skin infections such as abscesses, respiratory infections such as sinusitis, and food poisoning. Pathogenic strains often promote infections by producing potent protein toxins, and expressing cell-surface proteins that bind and inactivate antibodies. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus such as Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem in clinical medicine.