Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO’s)
Posted By Chris on March 18, 2010
The CDC defines Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDRO’s) as microorganisms that have developed resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs; two MDRO’s we are most familiar with in Long-term Care are MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus). Illness with MDRO’s can range from simple colonization to more severe manifestations of infection.
Colonization is defined as the presence of an organism in or on the body but with no clinical signs and symptoms of infection.
Infection is defined as tissue invasion by a microorganism accompanied by positive clinical signs and symptoms.
Since health care workers, patients and family alike, could potentially be colonized with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms and not even be aware of them, it follows they could easily be transmitted from one person to another, and very easily. Inadequate hand hygiene is the root cause for transmission of pathogens in Long-Term Care and in all other health care settings as well. Health care workers must do all they can to interrupt the cycle of transmission by consciously and conscientiously washing their hands before and after caring for every patient.
Microorganisms are everywhere, in health care facilities in the community and in our homes. We can’t always control exposure to them but we can use a basic common sense approach to preventing their transmission in Long-Term Care.
Use Standard precautions at all times and Transmission Based Precautions for known or suspected infections.
Always practice responsible Hand Hygiene
Use optimum Room Placement of patients with known infections; co-hort those with like infectious organisms.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) use gloves, gowns and masks appropriately. Give frequent demonstrations on the correct use and order in which to don, remove, and dispose of them, followed by staff return demonstrations.
Assess patients for group activities. In general, if their wounds are covered and contained, if they are not exhibiting signs and symptoms of infection, and if they are able to practice good hygiene, it is usually acceptable for them to leave their room. Conversely, if their wounds cannot be contained, if they are confused or unable to practice good hygiene, if they have clinical signs of infection such as fever, active vomiting/ diarrhea or if they are coughing, they should remain in their rooms until their signs and symptoms have subsided.
Be sure to follow your own Infection Control Policies and Procedures; always review and update them for federal, state and local Standards of Care and Best Practice Guidelines.
Comments
Leave a Reply