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Nursing Quality Assurance

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Nursing Quality Assurance
Reducing the Risk of Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in Healthcare Facilities

Infection control is one of the things we as nurses and nursing students have a commitment to take every possible step to ensure. Infection control includes all things that are avoidable and by practicing by the ANA Code of Ethics and QSEN Competencies we can ensure that patients get best possible care they deserve. It is important that all people involved in the care of patients in a health-care facility take all the necessary steps and precautions to avoid spreading germs that can cause infections. It is essential that the policies put in place to control these problems are followed by every member of the collaborative team. According to the QSEN Competencies every person involved in the care of a patient should “Function competently within own scope of practice as a member of the health care team”. (QSEN, 2010) This includes nurses, doctors, social workers, janitorial services and dietary aids, to name a few. Each person working in a health-care facility plays an important particular role in the care of the patients. It is necessary to explore this issue because patient safety is a priority. It is important that everyone abide by the facility policies to decrease risk of transmission of infectious organism to patients, increase awareness to risk of transmission of MRSA and keep the patients and healthcare workers safe.
One thing that has been difficult to control in hospitals is the spread of MRSA. MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a bacterial infection which is easily spread that can be highly resistant to antibiotics. There are two ways that one could acquire a MRSA infection. Community-associated MRSA infections can occur in healthy people living in the community who have not recently been in the hospital. MRSA is spread through direct contact with the infected person or items used by that person. People in close


References: Banning, M., (2005) Infection control nursing. Transmission and epidemiology of MRSA: current perspectives. British Journal of Nursing, 14(10), 548-551. Bissett, L., (2005) Infection control. Controlling the risk of MRSA infection: screening and isolating patients. British Journal of Nursing, 14(7), 386-390. Fairclough, S.J., (2006) Infection control. Why tackling MRSA needs a comprehensive approach. British Journal of Nursing, 15(2), 72-75. Rawson, E., (2008) The tip of the superbug iceberg. Clinical Risk. 14(2), 72-76. Romero, D.V., Treston, J., O’Sullivan, A.L., (2006) Hand to hand combat: Preventing MRSA…methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Nurse Practitioner. 31(3) 16-18, 21-25. QSEN. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses. (2010) Retrieved from: http://www.qsen.org/competencies.php
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