An infant in the NICU with MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureaus) can initiate immediate precautions to preserve the safety and well-being of not only the infant, but all the other infants, staff, and parents in the NICU. It is important to remember that not all cases of MRSA are as critical as heard about on the news. It is important to remember that even though an infant may have the bacteria, it does not necessarily mean that it is sick from it.
MRSA and Antibiotics
Unlike viruses, bacteria is treatable with anitbiotics. Staphylococcus Aureus is a particular bacteria that has evolved into strains that are resistant to certain common medications, hence the name methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus. As we as society evolve, so do the bacteria that make us sick. Eventually, they become resistant to certain types of medications normally used as treatment. This means that new medications and treatments must be found.
Diagnosing MRSA in the NICU
MRSA is often discovered in the NICU by form of blood cultures or skin cultures. There is a large difference in the severity of the two.
If MRSA is found via cultures taken from the surface of the skin, then the bacteria is considered to have colonized there. This does not necessarily mean the baby is sick. In fact, the doctor may not even treat for it. There is the potential that the infant may carry MRSA for some time afterwards, but eventually may be completely free of the bacteria as they get older. Remember, you and I may carry MRSA, too. Carrying MRSA does not mean you are sick with it. Complications usually arise when the bacteria somehow enters the body.
If the bacteria does enter the body, it can do so via several ways, including open wounds, surgery, and respiratory procedures. MRSA is acquired through contact, and is not considered an airborne sickness. At this point, medication treatment will be required, and care for the infection is often more complex. Physicians will administer treatments will based on an individual basis, depending on the conditionof the infant.
MRSA and Isolation
Most, if not all, NICUs will place an infant with MRSA in contact isolation. This means that medical staff will wear gowns and gloves to prevent the spread of the bacteria to other infants in the unit. Again, since this is not considered an airborne infection, staff usually does not have the need for masks.
Parents, family (including siblings), and visitors may or may not be asked to gown and glove when visiting their baby, it just depends on the individual NICU's policies. Parents already have an established physical contact relationship with the baby, thus further exposure is usually not a concern. If a parent has mutliples in the unit, such as twins, with one having MRSA and the other not, then the parents may be asked to gown and glove to prevent spreading the bacteria from one baby to the other.
Visitors with compromised imune systems, or immuno-suppressed conditions, should not visit an infant with MRSA, as their risk for contracting an infection is higher.
Every person, staff and parents especially, should be washing their hands and using an alcohol hand sanitizer before and after touching the infant.