LESSON OBJECTIVES
After completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to:

• Explain the importance of handwashing as the single most important factors in preventing the spread of MRSA.
• List three groups of patients at higher risk for MRSA infection of colonization.
• Identify two actions to control the spread of MRSA.

LESSON OVERVIEW
Colonization and infection with antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has been rising rapidly in the past decades. The most common of these, methicillin-resistant staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) was first identified in 1961. Until the 1980s MRSA was limited to large hospitals and medical centers. Now MRSA is nosocomial in even the smallest facilities and it also appears to be community-acquired.

The typical homecare population includes many patients statistically at higher risk of being infected or colonized with MRSA, including those with frequent or prolonged facility stays and/or severe or chronic disease, the frail elderly, and patients with open wounds or indwelling catheters or lines including G tubes, foley catheters, and central venous lines.

The topic of MRSA for home health aides is a very important one since the number of patients infected or colonized with MRSA is increasing and the risk of transmission from patient to patient in home health care can be high.

ALSO
Check out the complete series to add flexibility to your in-service training.

Catalog ID: HHAIS11