Routes of spread

Routes of Spread

• MRSA (methicillin resistant MRSA) is no more likely to cause infection than other strains of S. aureus
• with other strains of S. aureus MRSA can colonise patients' skin and mucous membranes without causing clinical changes. It can however cause clinical infection which will be indicated by two or more of the following; inflammation, pus, pyrexia, pain and swelling.
• two methods of spread:
  • direct Contact
    • hands provide the most common form of contact between people and their potential contamination with MRSA again emphasises the need to maintain good hand hygiene before and after all patient contact
    • contaminated equipment can be another route of spread therefore all equipment should be routinely and effectively decontaminated between patients
  • airborne MRSA
    • frequently colonises patients' skin and can be dispersed into the environment and onto equipment when they shed their skin scales