MRSA Screening

MRSA screening

Reducing the number of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) is a key government target and therefore it is also a priority for NHS Walsall Community Health to minimise the number of MRSA infections, especially those that cause bacteraemia or blood stream infection.

Our MRSA Screening Policies are now available and can be accessed via the links below. Processess are in place to ensure these policies will be fully implemented by 1 April 2009.

Denise McLellan, Chief Executive

Screening patients known to be of higher risk of MRSA bacteraemia will allow for decolonisation treatment so that the risk of infection is minimised.  By April 2009 the Department of Health requires that patients due to undergo elective surgery at any acute trust including Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust will need to be screened and decolonised of MRSA before surgery. 

At present for NHS Walsall Community Health this involves only patients due to undergo podiatric nail surgery. These patients will be screened at their outpatient appointment and arrangements made for them to be decolonised and re tested prior to surgery if necessary. 

However, local root cause analyses of MRSA Bacteraemias (blood stream infections) have also indicated that NHS Walsall Community Health could reduce further the incidence of MRSA bacteraemia by screening in other high risk areas.

Therefore as of 1April 2009, as a matter of best practice, all admissions to the Intermediate Care Service and any patient receiving an intravascular device inserted by NHS Walsall Community Health staff should also be routinely screened for MRSA.    

Walsall Primary Care Surgery service has agreed to immediately implement the attached interim policy for elective carpel tunnel repair and vasectomy undertaken in primary care facilities by specialist GPs. A definitive policy will be implemented within the next 6 months

Guidance for MRSA screening is therefore shown in a new policy for MRSA Screening which is now available by clicking here.

Any questions should be directed to Nicola Roberts, Infection Control Nurse on 01922 858640.