Infection Control announces MRSA policy change

In 2016, WVU Medicine evaluated its MRSA isolation practice as part of its performance improvement (PI) efforts in an attempt to improve processes. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. It's tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus, or staph, because it's resistant to some commonly used antibiotics.

As a result of the 2016 assessment, the Infection Control Committee has made the decision to end isolation measures for patients colonized with MRSA. Being colonized with MRSA means the patient carries it in their nose or on their skin – but the patient is not sick with a MRSA infection. Only those patients with a history of MRSA who have not had an MRSA infection for at least six months will be impacted.

“I would like to thank all of the nurses who completed the swabbing during the assessment, as well as the PI committee and leadership for their assistance in achieving this goal and ultimate practice change for our patients,” said Lori Sisler, coordinator, Infection Control

To learn more, view the MRSA policy on CONNECT.