MRSA & Hospital Infections

Hospital Infections & MRSA

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Meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is caused by coming into direct contact with someone who is carrying the germ on their skin. It is most commonly picked up from the hands of someone who has touched someone with an MRSA infection. They may also have picked up something with which the person has had contact with, such as a towel, clothing, etc. Shaking hands with someone who has MRSA on their skin is unlikely to cause an infection. Individuals are more likely to be infected through a cut or from a contaminated medical instrument.

People who are strong and healthy are rarely infected. People who may be vulnerable to infection include:

People who has just has surgery
• People over the age of 66.
• Patients in Intensive Care who have been in hospital for a long time.
• People with burns, cuts or open wounds.
• People with a compromised immune system. This would include people taking immunosuppressants and people infected by the HIV virus.

MRSA Treatments

Should you or a loved one be diagnosed with an MRSA infection, the treatment you are prescribed will depend on a number of factors. These factors include:

• What MRSA infection you have
• The severity of symptoms
• Where the infection lies
• What antibiotics the particular strain of MRSA you are diagnosed with is sensitive to

If you are suffering only with a minor case of MRSA, you will likely only require very little treatment. This may consist of the draining away of any pus from the site of the infection, which should fully treat the condition. Alternatively, an antibacterial wash or powder may be prescribed to remove MRSA from the body, cream to remove the infection from the nose or an antibacterial shampoo to eliminate infection from the scalp. You will not be admitted to hospital in any of the above cases. In more serious cases of MRSA, however, sufferers may be prescribed a more rigorous course of antibiotic injections. Depending on the severity and site of the infection, the course of treatment could last up to six weeks and a combination of antibiotics will be used.

How can I make a claim for MRSA?

If you or a loved one has suffered an MRSA infection that could have been prevented, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. At Russell Worth solicitors, we are experts in clinical negligence and our experienced team of solicitors have recovered thousands of pounds in compensation for victims of medical negligence and their families. We understand that compensation won’t take away your pain and suffering however regrettably, this is the closest method we have to seeking justice for the negligence you and our family have experienced. Contact us today to see if we can help you and your family to make a claim.