MRSA
MRSA screening for Elective (planned) Surgery
Patients coming to East Surrey Hospital (including Redwood Elective Centre) or Crawley Hospital (day surgery) for elective (planned) surgical procedures will be offered a pre-admission screen for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Staphylococcus aureus (or S. aureus) is a common bacteria that lives on our skin and in the lining of the nose. MRSA is a particular form of S. aureus, which has become resistant to some common antibiotics.
By screening we mean taking swabs to detect the presence of MRSA.
There are some patient groups who are not covered by this screening program:
- Day case ophthalmology, dental and endoscopy
- Minor dermatological procedures, e.g., warts or other liquid nitrogen applications
- Children/paediatrics unless in high risk group
- Maternity/obstetrics unless elective caesareans and high risk cases
- Mental health patients have specific guidance
- However, we may still offer a patient a screen dependent on risk of infection.
By screening, we can find those patients who are carrying MRSA before or when they come into hospital and we can manage their care appropriately. This allows the opportunity to suppress MRSA and reduce the risk of infection. It also helps to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
This has been brought in to meet national requirements made by the Department of Health. This confidential screening programme is part of wider NHS framework commitments and Department of Health directives. The prevention and control of MRSA and Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) is a priority for Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and we are committed to controlling the spread of infection. Screening for MRSA is not new for patients of the Trust. The Trust has previously screened patients for MRSA who were at high risk of having it, and this new protocol strengthens our Infection Prevention and Control systems.
For patients expecting to receive planned surgery at East Surrey Hospital or Crawley Hospital who have not been screened, please speak either to the Nurse responsible for your care at the Trust or your GP if you are not attending a pre-assessment or pre-admission clinic.
For further information contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service on 01737 231958, the Nurse responsible for your care with the Trust or your GP.
Infection prevention
You can also play a key role in helping to prevent the spread of infection by not visiting the hospital unless it's absolutely necessary and by washing your hands and using the hand gels provided on entering and leaving wards.
We would also ask people to:
1.Not visit the hospital if they or their children have any symptoms of illness, or have been unwell in recent days or come into contact with infectious symptoms either at school, nursery or elsewhere.
2.In particular, we would ask anyone - adult or child - who has experienced diarrhoea and / or vomiting in the previous three days to not visit the hospital and they should also contact their GP surgery for advice if they have any concerns about their health.
3.Consider, the necessity of the visit, how long will the patient be in hospital and whether or not a visit might wait until a patient returns home?
4.Seek advice from the lead nurse on the ward if they are unsure about infection control procedures.
5.Not sit on patient beds (this is an infection control risk).
6.Avoid bringing gifts of food or flowers into the hospital.
These actions have the sole aim of safeguarding patients and visitors and minimising any spread of infection, and are consistent with good practice across the country.
