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Methicillin Resistant Enterococci

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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

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