Saying Goodbye to MRSA
August 23, 2007

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an antibiotic-resistant germ which causes dangerous infections in patients inside and outside the hospital. Infections with MRSA are more difficult to treat and may be more deadly than infections with other forms of Staphylococcus.  The Veterans Health Administration is the first national healthcare system to implement a program to reduce the transmission of MRSA with a goal of getting rid of MRSA-related, healthcare-associated infections.  All VA staff, patients and visitors will see changes as this initiative progresses. More staff will be gowning and wearing gloves for contact with patients. Visitors may be asked to put on a gown and clean their hands with waterless sanitizer or with soap and water. Patients may need to be moved to different rooms to allow for effective isolation. We ask for your cooperation and understanding in this effort. The MRSA Initiative will work, and over time, fewer patients will need to be isolated, we will see fewer MRSA infections, and the suffering that MRSA exacts on our patients will decrease.