When you visit a hospital, let the health care providers know if you or your child has MRSA. Standard precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of MRSA. Standard precautions means you/your child will follow these guidelines:
- You or your child should be in a private room during your stay. Movement outside the room is limited.
- Special cleanser is available in the room for hand washing. Hand washing is recommended before leaving the room.
- A gown and gloves are worn by people who enter you or your child’s room if contact with body fluids is suspected. These are removed before leaving the room.
- A mask may need to be worn also, if you or your child has an uncontrolled cough. In this case, a mask will need to be worn by you/your child when you leave the room.
- Let each health care provider know the patient is colonized/infected with MRSA.
Hand Washing
Although hand washing seems simple, make sure the hand washing is effective to prevent the spread of MRSA. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer over the entire surface of your hands until dry, or use liquid soap and scrub your hands using plenty of lather for 10-15 seconds. Rinse your hands and dry them completely.
Precautions at Home
Again, healthy people are at low risk for getting infected with MRSA. In the home, follow these guidelines: Caregivers should wash their hands with soap and water after contact with the infected person before leaving home.
- Towels used for drying hands should be used only once.
- Disposable gloves should be worn if contact with body fluids is suspected.
- Linens should be changed and washed routinely, especially if they are soiled.
