MRSA screening for NHS patients
Ramsay Health Care UK has given assurance to the Department of
Health that all NHS patients receiving treatment in Ramsay Health
Care UK hospitals and treatment centres will be screened according
to the NHS screening requirements.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of a number of bacteria that
colonizes human skin, nasal passages and the mouth. Between 20% and
40% of the population carry this organism without any ill
effects.
Meticillin-resistant S. aureus is a bacterium that is resistant
to antibiotics that would traditionally be used to treat S. aureus
infections. This can make infections more difficult to treat due to
a limited choice of antibiotics. Whilst MRSA is capable of causing
serious and life-threatening infections, it is generally carried in
the nose or the skin without causing any harm. Where MRSA is
isolated without evidence of infection this is called colonisation.
Patients will be identified as being colonised or infected with
MRSA through screening swabs or routine microbiological
investigation.
Epidemic strains of MRSA (EMRSA) have a propensity for
transmission and have been particularly implicated in
cross-infection. In the United Kingdom, EMRSA-15 and EMRSA-16 are
the commonest strains. MRSA is now endemic nationally in hospital
and other healthcare establishments.
NHS Patients to be screened from 1 April 2009 include:
- All elective admissions to be routinely screened
The Department of Health has identified within elective
admission and attendances the following patient groups who should
not be routinely screened:
- Day case ophthalmology
- Day case dental
- Day case endoscopy
- Minor dermatology procedures, e.g. warts or other liquid
nitrogen applications
- Children/paediatrics unless already in a high risk
group
- Maternity/obstetrics except for elective caesareans and any
high risk cases, i.e. high risk of complications in the mother
and/or potential complications in the baby, (e.g. likely to need
SCBU, NICU because of size or known complications or risk
factors.)
- Mental Health Patients - as per specific guidance on screening
for mental health patients on the Safe Clean Care web site.
Reference: Annex C ‘MRSA Screening – Operational
Guidance 2’, 31st December 2008, Gateway reference number
11123