Dear Sue,
In similar circumstances, my infection control team have
advised not to worry about MRSA unless the person is unfortunate to develop a
septicaemia. It is unlikely that infection would be transmitted this
way. The only detection method would be by blood culture which is
something only a medical practitioner would perform, and only if there was a
clear clinical case for doing so.
Prophylaxis is unnecessary as it would be far more likely to
cause significant health problems compared to MRSA risk.
It would be more likely for the person to acquire MRSA by
everyday contact.
I'd also consider hepatitis C risk and the risk of other
general localised infections.
Best wishes
Paul D'Arcy,
Occupational Health Manager (Acting)
Occupational Health
Hammersmith Hospital
Developing And Supporting People To Make Healthcare Better
To all my colleagues in the NHS or infection
control
Can you tell me what level of risk a domicillary
care asst. would be at if she had a needle stick injury from a client who is
MRSA pos. please? She has seen her GP but I am not sure what he did except to
say tell OH!
There are certainly issues round a used needle
being left by someone else and round Hep B but I am not sure about
MRSA.
Thank you
Sue
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