What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for Meticillin– Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a bacteria that can live harmlessly on human skin, in nasal passages, or in the mouth.
Why is it important?
The MRSA bacteria does not normally affect healthy people. The majority of people who carry it will have no signs or symptoms and are not aware they are carrying it. This is referred to as colonisation, but when a person goes in to hospital carrying MRSA and has a procedure that involves breaking the skin, the MRSA can get into the body and may cause an infection.
MRSA is a type of bacteria that has become resistant to group of antibiotics called Meticillin; however, there are still some antibiotics that can be used to treat MRSA.
What are we doing to prevent MRSA infection?
If you are having a surgical procedure and have been identified at an increased risk from MRSA, you will be screened for MRSA.
Screening is done to check whether you are carrying MRSA. This will help reduce the risk of you developing an MRSA infection following a procedure and prevent the MRSA from spreading to other patients.
Screening Process
A swab will be taken from your nose and any wounds that you might have. This will involve a cotton bud swab being placed in and around your nose and any wounds. The test will not hurt but may feel a little uncomfortable. The swab(s) will then be sent to the laboratory for testing.
When will you find out the result?
The results usually take a few days. If the result is negative, you will not hear from the staff as no further preparation needs to be undertaken before your procedure.
If the swab result finds MRSA present, our staff will contact you and let you know what to do.
What if I have MRSA?
Try not to worry, as having MRSA should not interfere with your normal lifestyle.
Our staff will give you information on how you can help to reduce any risks of infection. You will be given a body wash and an ointment for your nose, both to be used for five days prior to your procedure.
You might be asked to come back to hospital to pick up this treatment or your GP might be contacted and asked to prescribe it for you.
Will this affect my eye surgery?
No, you will be treated as planned. Your consultant will be informed of your MRSA result and of any precautionary measures that need to be taken.
MRSA decolonisation
When you visited the hospital recently, you had some swabs taken and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) was found. Therefore it is recommended that you receive the MRSA decolonisation treatment before your surgical procedure.
You will be given a bottle of Octenisan body wash and a tube of nose ointment. These should be applied for five days before your date of surgery, with the fifth day being the day of your surgery.
If you experience any problems or skin irritation whilst using these products, please stop using them and consult your GP for advice.
Nose ointment
Apply three times per day for five days in evenly spaced intervals. Wash your hands prior to applying nasal ointment cream.
Unscrew the cap and using a cotton bud or clean finger, squeeze a small pea size amount of ointment and apply to the inside of each nostril and press both sides of the nostril together. This will spread the ointment inside each nostril. Wash your hands and replace the cap on the tube.
Body wash
Use instead of your usual soap for your body once a day for five days and also use it to wash your hair instead of your usual shampoo on day two and day four of treatment.
The diagram below demonstrates the six steps you should follow:
Review date: 2026