The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is reporting five patients in one nursing unit have tested positive for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). These cases have been identified and confirmed within the last week.
“We are in the process of continuously screening all patients on the nursing unit to determine if MRSA has been contained to those confirmed cases. Patients testing positive and other possible cases have been isolated and visiting restrictions are being put in place effective today,” said Dr. Rosemary Henderson, Medical Director for the QEH. “We have further heightened infection control measures including enhanced cleaning.”
Visitation is being restricted only to those patients on the identified nursing unit. Visitor restrictions include:
• Only two (2) visitors at a time per patient – immediate family only
• No persons under the age of 18 permitted
• Compassionate exceptions will be made on an individual patient basis, in consultation with the patient and their health care team
It is extremely important that everyone visiting the hospital, including families visiting loved ones, those coming in for tests, x-rays or ambulatory procedures, clean their hands before and after entering a patient’s room, and upon entering and leaving the facility. Alcohol hand rinse stations are available throughout the building for this purpose.
MRSA is a bacteria that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics. These bacteria are most commonly spread by direct and also indirect contact via hands. Patients who test positive for these antibiotic resistant bacteria can either be colonized or infected. Colonization occurs when the bacteria lives on one or more body sites with no signs and symptoms of illness. Infection occurs when the bacteria gets past a person’s normal defenses and the individual becomes ill.
The situation will be reassessed early next week as more information from ongoing screening is made available. Officials from the QEH will be providing a further update at that time.