Preventing MRSA Cross Contamination in a Healthcare Setting



Controlling cross contamination of MRSA in healthcare settings is essential for patient and staff safety. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of staph infection that has become resistant to most antibiotic treatments, making it extremely dangerous for anyone who contracts it.

HA-MRSA or healthcare-acquired MRSA can lead to severe medical problems, such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and surgical site infections. In order to keep patients safe and healthy, healthcare agencies must focus on taking steps to prevent MRSA cross contamination.

5 Steps to Preventing MRSA Cross Contamination

  1. Practice proper hand hygiene. Always dispose of gloves and wash your hands after coming into contact with a patient and before entering a patient’s room. MRSA can be found anywhere, even on your cell phone, so it is important to always make sure your hands are clean before coming into contact with patients. It may even be necessary to perform proper hand hygiene between different procedures on the same patient.
  2. Use mouth, nose, and eye protection. Superbugs like MRSA can be contracted through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth. Always wear nose, mouth and eye protection to protect yourself from splashes of blood and other body fluids and secretions. 
  3. Wear a gown when necessary. Wearing a gown can help prevent contamination of clothing during patient activities that involve body fluids or blood.
  4. Always wear gloves. Always wear gloves when anticipating contact with blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids or skin. After contact, promptly and properly dispose of gloves and wash your hands. 
  5. Properly dispose of cleaning gear and equipment. Any gear or equipment that is soiled with blood and other body fluids should be properly disposed of.

What to do When MRSA Cross Contamination Happens

Even when taking steps to prevent it, MRSA cross contamination can happen, so you should be prepared to react in that situation. Aftermath is a bioremediation company that offers professional blood cleanup, biohazard remediation and removal, and communication disease disinfection. Without proper cleanup, you could potentially put yourself, your staff, and your patients at risk. Call us anytime for assistance.