Infants with MRSA infection

[Mariam]

We have an infant in our NICU who developed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Infection control ppl asked as to bathe him with hibscrub which contains (4% chlorhexidine, meythlated spirit and perfume) they said it can be dilluted before the procedure. I am concerned about the systemic absorption and irritation that such contents may cause to the infant's skin

anybody can share with me their policy for infants with MRSA infections

Thanks a lot

[Stefan Johansson]

Hi!

We do not have MRSA very often, but during those rare occasion we practise "barrier" care (more strict hygiene routines than usual), i.e. dedicated staff, nursing the infant in its own room when possible or admitting no new infants to that room, protection cover dress, gloves when nursing, and very-very strict hand desinfection by parents.

We do no bathe infants in desinfectants.

However, our policy deals with colonization, so it's basically a different thing compared to the scenario you have to deal with.

I hope someone else can give you better advice!

[Guest Debbie Crump RRT,NPS]

When we have an MRSA outbreak, we first culture all babies in room because they have been exposed just being in the room. Those babies then become isolated and the MRSA positive baby is placed in an isolation room. We wait until we get back the culture results...treating all the babies that were in the room as if they were infected also. if all cultures come back negative we discontinue the isolation procedures ...and only MRSA positive infants go into the isolation room. They stay in isolation for the duration of their stay.

[forbabynurse]

We rarely have an infant with MRSA. Our protocol is: Every baby has a nasal culture (MRSA specific) upon admission, at 15 days of life, and at 30 days of life. Also culture prior to any transfer. If a culture is positive for MRSA,we isolate while staff and parents use gloves, gowns,strict handwashing and we use Bactoban (nasal application) for 7 days and reculture after the 7th day. Our unit has never had a baby positive for MRSA after the 7 day Bactroban Tx. Contact isolation is d/c'd after the culture is negative. The incident is reported to infection control and they do a follow-up.