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 Today
many hospitals in Canada and around the world are dealing with bacteria which
no longer respond to many, or all, antibiotics. Thunder Bay Regional Health
Sciences Centre is taking steps to prevent and control the spread of antibiotic
resistant bacteria. These bacteria do not cause problems in healthy people,
but they can cause infections in people who have weakened immune systems or
who have had major surgery. The following material explains what these bacteria
are and what we are doing to control their spread.
What are antibiotic-resistants?
VRE (Vancomycin-resistant enterococci) is a form of common
bacteria (enterococci) which usually lives harmlessly in our intestines and
genital tract. VRE is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin making it more
difficult to treat infections caused by this organism.
MRSA (Methicillin - resistant staphyloccus aureus) is a form
of another common bacterium (staph aureus) which lives on our skin and in our
noses. MRSA is resistant to many antibiotics.
Who is at risk of carrying the resistant forms of VRE &
MRSA?
- Patients who have been hospitalized overnight within the past year
in a hospital, long term care or chronic care facility may have contracted
one of these bacteria and may not know it.
- Patients in contact with other patients (roommates) who have VRE
or MRSA.
- Patients that have home health care, dialysis or any type of indwelling
medical devices.
- Patients that live in a communal setting (i.e. correctional facility,
shelter, halfway house)
- Patients that have a history of injection drug use.
Often times though a patient with MRSA or VRE will have no apparent risk factors.
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How do Bacteria Spread?
VRE can spread through person to person contact and on the hands of caregivers.
It can also spread on objects such as thermometers, blood pressure equipment,
& room furniture. It can live on some surfaces for hours or weeks.
MRSA is spread mostly though person to person contact, and on the hands of
caregivers. It is not easily spread through contact with objects in the environment.
Neither MRSA or VRE spread though the air!
Good handwashing or use of hand sanitizer is the best way to prevent
the spread of these and other bacteria.
What if I have VRE & MRSA?
Both VRE & MRSA can live harmlessly on, or in, the body without causing
any illness or symptoms. They can, however, cause infections if they get into
the blood, urinary bladder, lungs or open wounds. If an infection develops with
one of these bacteria your doctor will decide what the best course of treatment
is. There are a few antibiotics available to treat MRSA and VRE.
By taking steps now to control the spread of these bacteria we can help prevent
a small problem from becoming a big problem later on.
If you have any questions please ask your doctor or nurse.
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