Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Infection: Knowledge, Preventive Practices and Colonisation among Healthcare Professionals of Surgical Units Mello Diana D.1, Latha T.2,*, Alva Janet3, Banarjee Barnini4, Vandana K.E.5 1M. Sc. Nursing, MCON Manipal, MAHE, Manipal, 2Assistant Professor-Senior Scale, MCON Manipal, MAHE, Manipal, Karnataka, India, 3Assistant Professor, MCON Manipal, MAHE, Manipal, Karnataka, India, 4Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, MAHE, Manipal 5Professor, Department of Microbiology, Chairperson, Infection Control Committee, Kasturba Hospital Manipal, MAHE, Manipal *Corresponding Author: Dr. Latha T., Assistant Professor, Senior Scale, MAHE, Manipal, Karnataka, India-576104, Mobile No: +91 9886398574 e-mail: latha.tbhat@manipal.edu or latharadhakrishna@gmail.com
Online published on 31 March, 2020. Abstract Staphylococcus aureusis the most prevalent pathogen in hospitals and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major drug resistant strain. The severity may range from a minor skin infection to major life threatening septic shock. The objective of the study were to assess the knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on MRSA infection, to observe and to screen HCPs to detect MRSA colonization and decolonize them appropriately. Method A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted in surgical units of a tertiary care hospital, Southern India among 101 HCPs. The concealed observation of the infection control practices was done using observational checklist followed by which the HCPS were screened (anterior nares, throat and axilla or web spaces) to detect MRSA carrier status. Knowledge on MRSA infection and prevention was assessed through structured knowledge questionnaire. Results Among 101 HCPs, 42% had excellent knowledge on transmission and prevention of MRSA. Observation of infection control practices revealed that there was good compliance in waste disposal and specimen collection but the compliance was low in hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and dressing. Out of 101 HCPs, 2.97% were found to be the carriers. Conclusion Increase in the compliance towards hand hygiene and infection control practices would reduce the infection rate and also motivating the HCPs to follow standard precautions would contribute towards prevention of hospital acquired infections. Top Keywords Carrier status, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Infection control practices, Healthcare Professionals, Surgical units, Hand hygiene. Top |