CCMH’s guidelines on MRSA
Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital follows guidelines from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) which has recommended the use of “Standard” and “Contact” precautions for MRSA.

Since colonization with MRSA is frequently undetected, Standard precautions are recommended for every patient. Contact precautions, when the organism is known, is implemented to prevent transmission.

At Camden Clark, if patients have a history of any type of MRSA, whether colonized or infected, they are placed into Contact precautions.

A single patient room is used if at all possible for patients in Contact precautions, but CDC allows for patients with like organisms to room together. This is called “cohorting.”

Highest priority for a single room is given to those patients who have conditions that may facilitate transmission such as uncontained excretions or secretions.

Contact precautions require the use of gloves and in some instances gowns. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) may need to be used depending upon the anticipated procedures or processes. Goggles or protective masks may be needed. PPE boxes are located in every patient room as well as other patient care areas.

Camden-Clark designates infection control precautions by placement of the appropriate sign on the door frame of the patient room. This sign directs those entering the room as to the proper precautions to use.

Of course, hand hygiene is a high priority at Camden-Clark. Hand hygiene is performed by all staff between patient contacts. Alcohol hand gels dispensers are strategically located in all patient rooms as well as other areas within the facility. In addition, antimicrobial liquid soap is located in each restroom as well as other areas within the hospital.

Currently, all patients admitted to ICU and CCU have active surveillance cultures (ASC) collected upon admission to that unit. The cultures are performed on those same patients on a weekly basis until discharge.