November 8, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY - Staphylococcal bacteria (“staph”) are all around us and are spread by touch. They are also prevalent in hospital settings, where patient immune systems may be weakened due to surgery, injury or illness. Such bacteria can cause infections and some staph are resistant to antibiotics, which can be difficult to treat. Many people are carriers of the bacteria but don’t know it, because they will never display symptoms. The bacteria can be spread unknowingly.

Putting a stop to these infections has long been a priority for health care organizations across the country. Early adopters of aggressive screening and isolation efforts are having a positive impact. However, the rapid emergence of community-acquired MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureus) in patients with no prior exposure to health care institutions or other risk factors poses a serious new challenge to the nation’s hospitals. INTEGRIS Health is joining other leading health care organizations to address this challenge.

INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center and INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon are beginning to screen patients in select locations or in high-risk groups to determine whether they are carrying MRSA.

Once the patients are identified, everyone entering the room will be expected to follow “Contact Precautions” to assure the bacteria are not spread to other patients. This will include wearing protective attire such as gloves, gowns or masks when in contact with the patient and having visitors report to the nurses’ station before entering the patient’s room.

Treatment for being a carrier of MRSA is usually not recommended, though patients with active infections will continue to be treated.

“The hope is that these actions will not only reduce staph infections but will also educate the public and raise awareness,” says Dr. Vadakepat Ramgopal, Medical Director, Infectious Disease, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.

When identified patients are released from the hospital they will be encouraged to do the following:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs and insist others do the same
• Keep wounds and sores covered with clean, dry bandages 
• Avoid sharing personal items: razors, towels or clothing 
• Wash/dry soiled linens and clothes with hot water and hot dryer 
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact until any sores are healed 
• Always tell future health care providers if you have been identified with MRSA.

This program is just another way INTEGRIS is working to continually improve the lives of the people and communities we serve. 

For more information, visit the Web site below. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/ar/MRSAPatientInfoSheet.pdf