How can I avoid MRSA and C. Dificil ? I need major surgery soon, what strategies will protect me ?

Question

2 years ago, my sister in law was in the same hospital I will be in, she caught MRSA and was very ill for ages. I want to have this surgery, but how can I minimise my chances of contracting either of these diseases while in hospital ?

Since I posted this question, have spoken this morning to the surgeon who will be doing the op. She tells me mobility is a big factor, and weight to a lesser extent. MRSA is endemic, but only causes trouble when it gets from patients skin into the wound. Being able to keep yourself clean and not having to rely on others seems to make a difference to how vulnerable you are. My sister in law is heavy and walks with a stick, but fortunately neither of these applies to me.

The Nurse said be aware of people coming in from outside - don't let them sit on your bed, and ask them to wash their hands, too.

Answer 1

Insist that everyone, nurses, doctors aides and visitors, wash their hands upon entering your room. Don't let anyone touch you without first washing their hands. Make sure the doctor gives you prophylactic antibiotic therapy before and after surgery. And last but not least, keep washing your own hands when ever you touch anything, like the phone, your meal tray etc. It's amazing how just a little soap and water can stop the spread of infection dead.

Answer 2

Well there is really not too much you can do yourself but you certainly can watch what the workers in the hospital do. I work in a hospital and there are strict guidelines on wearing gloves when changing patients bandages and adjusting their IV's, emptying catheters, etc. And it is a rule that the hands have to be washed after removing the gloves, yes. The one thing I would recommend that you do is to have some alcohol cleaner with you and use it to clean your hands every time you touch something in the hospital room, like the bathroom, the bed rails, the table, etc. And DON"T hesitate to question employees if you think they should be wearing gloves and they aren't. My hospital has a sign posted for the patients that says You can remind your workers to wear gloves."
There is a lot of emphasis on MRSA and C DIF these days, you should be fine. But don't stay in any longer than you have to either. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to say but there is nothing you can do, you can ask Dr's and Nurses to scrub up properly but even this will not be 100% safe.
My son has Cystic Fibrosis and was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago, he was nose, throat, and skin swabbed, on admission, which showed no signs of MRSA, he had the some tests 1 week ago, and i found out yesterday he has MRSA now, he was also in isolation, so you wonder how he could have caught this.
He has to stay in for another 2 weeks.
So i would still go for your operation, and hope all goes well
Ask to be swabbed for MRSA before your op
Hope all goes well
~Dekker~ {:o)

Answer 4

Not a lot you can do really. The reason MRSA and C.Dificil are even in existance is because of our thoughtless and selfish overuse of antibiotics.

Answer 5

I HAVE MRSA STAY ON YOUR ROOM LIMIT VISITORS ASK EVERYONE TO WEAR CLOTHES AND MASKS KEEP SANTIZER AT HAND

Answer 6

Hold your breath for the entire length of your hospital stay.