Patient education: MRSA screening test (The Basics)

What is MRSA? — 

MRSA stands for "methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus." It is a type of bacteria that can cause an infection that is sometimes harder to cure.

Staphylococcus, or "staph," infections are sometimes treated with an antibiotic medicine called "methicillin." But MRSA is a type of staph that has learned to outsmart methicillin, so the medicine does not work. This is called "resistance."

MRSA spreads easily through close contact or touching surfaces with the germ on them. Many people carry MRSA on their skin without knowing it. This is called being "colonized."

What is a MRSA screening test? — 

This is a way for doctors to check if a person is colonized with MRSA. They do this by taking a swab from your nose and checking it for the bacteria.

Why might I get a MRSA screening test? — 

Your doctor might do this test if you need to have surgery, stay in the hospital, or be in a nursing home. This way, if you are colonized with MRSA, they can do things to:

●Prevent spreading the bacteria to other patients or staff

●Lower your risk of getting a MRSA infection

What happens during a MRSA screening test? — 

The doctor will take samples, or "swabs," from your body. They usually do this by putting a swab into your nostrils. Sometimes, they might use another part of the body. If you have any wounds or sores, they might also take a sample from there. Taking the samples is quick and does not hurt.

The doctor will send the samples to a lab to check for MRSA bacteria.

What do my results mean? — 

Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about your results.

Your result can be:

●Negative – This means that MRSA was not found in the samples.

●Positive – This means that MRSA was found in the samples.

If your test is positive, it means that you are colonized with MRSA. Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about what happens next. The staff will do things to prevent spreading MRSA to other people. For example, they might wear special hospital gowns and gloves when they are in your room.

You might also get treatment to lower your risk of infection. This usually involves bathing with a special soap, using a special mouthwash, and putting antibiotic ointment in your nostrils.

More on this topic

Patient education: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (The Basics)
Patient education: Multidrug-resistant organisms (The Basics)
Patient education: What you should know about antibiotics (The Basics)
Patient education: Isolation precautions (The Basics)

Patient education: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Beyond the Basics)