The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is reporting that a higher than usual number of patients on Unit 3 – a medical nursing unit – have tested positive for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and visitor limitations have been put in place on the nursing unit.
“We have been screening all patients currently on the nursing unit and those being admitted to the unit for MRSA,” said Dr. Rosemary Henderson, QEH Medical Director. “Patients testing positive for MRSA are being placed on isolation precautions and staff have heightened infection control measures that includes enhanced cleaning. We have also put additional precautions in place for patients being admitted to Unit 3 to ensure they do not acquire MRSA.”
Effective immediately visitation is being limited on Unit 3 at the QEH as per the following precautions:
• Immediate family members only
• Only two (2) visitors at one time per patient (this includes children)
• Visits should be kept brief (15 minutes)
• Follow general visiting hours
It is extremely important that everyone coming to the hospital, including visitors and persons coming in for tests, x-rays or ambulatory procedures clean their hands before and after entering a patient’s room, a department, 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 defences and the individual becomes ill.
The situation will be reassessed Friday morning as more information is made available. Officials from the QEH will be providing a further update at that time.