MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and BORSA (Borderline Oxicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Decolonisation Information

Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria (germ) often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people.

Usually, this germ is harmless. Sometimes, the germ may cause skin infections such as boils and abscesses and can infect wounds; these infections are normally mild and easily treated.

Some strains of the Staphylococcus aureus germ have developed resistance to the more commonly used antibiotics – such as penicillin - and are referred to as MRSA or BORSA.

It is this resistance to certain (not all) antibiotics that make MRSA/BORSA different and it may not be so easy to treat if it does cause an infection.

There are many people who have the MRSA/BORSA germ without showing any symptoms. This is known as colonisation.

This is when germs live on your skin and are not currently causing any harm. However, if you are admitted to hospital and undergo procedures, there may be an opportunity for germs to enter your body.

This is why patients colonised with MRSA/BORSA may be given a special body wash to remove the germ from the skin, along with a nasal treatment to remove the germ from the nose.

We can find out who is carrying the germ and provide the necessary treatment before they are admitted to hospital.

• Octenisan body wash
• Chlorhexidine 4% body wash

How to use

The following information applies to all skin treatments. You should bathe (bed bath/bath/shower) for five consecutive days with your provided skin treatment, this includes washing your hair with the product twice during the 5 days. Use the skin treatment as a liquid soap.

Ensure skin is wet all over then apply approx. 30 ml of product directly onto your skin using a wet, disposable cloth. You can use two dessert spoonfuls as a guide. Pay particular attention to your hair, around the groin, perineum (the space between anus and genitals), and feet.

Leave the body wash in contact with your skin for one minute, then rinse off from head to toe.

Dry yourself using a clean towel. The towel should then be washed using your usual detergent.

It is advisable that you use clean bed linen every day during this decolonisation regimen.

• Mupriocin 2% nasal ointment
• Prontoderm nasal ointment

How to use

The following information applies to all nasal treatments.

Place a small amount of ointment (about the size of a match head) on a cotton bud or a clean/gloved little finger and apply to the inner surface of each nostril. The nostrils should be closed by pinching the sides of the nose together at each application; this spreads the treatment through each nostril.  Apply three times per day (morning, afternoon, and evening) for five days

Please do not discard any remaining body wash or nasal gel until you know your repeat swabs are clear.

Once you have completed the five days decolonisation treatment, you may need to have some more swabs taken.