MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA for short, is a type of staphylococcus. Staphylococci are bacteria that are commonly found in healthy people, without causing them any problems. MRSA is a special type of staphylococcus because it is insensitive (resistant) to treatment with most antibiotics.

The bacteria are mainly found on the skin and in the nose of these 'carriers', but can also occur in the throat, intestines, and urine.

MRSA can cause infections. These are generally skin infections, such as boils. In rare cases, blood poisoning, bone infection, or pneumonia can occur.

Direct contact via the hands, via the air (skin flakes in the air), surfaces in the immediate vicinity.

As long as someone is a carrier.

Not determinable.

Vaccination: no vaccination is available.

Prevention: screening when starting employmentdepending on your own umc policy. For identified risk groups (see SRI guideline MRSA), take isolation measures; see your own umc policy for this. In the event of unprotected exposure, contact tracing among employees will follow.

Contagiousness from carriers or infected individuals.

• People with compromised immune systems.
• People with skin conditions.
• Healthcare workers.

• People with compromised immune systems.
• Newborns and the elderly.

S. aureus strains spread most effectively among people who live in close proximity to each other, such as in healthcare institutions and within families.

See SRI guideline MRSA. Depending on the isolation policy of your umc; gloves, type IIR mouth and nose mask, long-sleeved apron.

Depending on the setting and situation, contact tracing may be carried out among healthcare workers.

The policy is based on detecting and treating MRSA carriage/infections as quickly as possible. Employees are offered treatment via the company doctor. This is followed by a culture process lasting at least 1 year (see SRI guideline MRSA).

Healthcare workers who are colonized with MRSA (carriers) are initially prohibited from performing patient-related work.

If an employee is a chronic (permanent) MRSA carrier, it is up to the umc to decide whether the employee can continue to work in direct patient care under certain conditions, weighing patient safety against personnel policy. (see SRI guideline MRSA).

• MRSA | SRI guideline
• MRSA | RIVM
• Staphylococcus aureus infections, including MRSA infections and carriage | LCI guideline RIVM