What can be done to prevent infection from S. aureus (Staph) after my surgery?
Medical professionals have known for many years that most Staph infections developing after surgery result from the same S. aureus that you, as a patient, normally carry prior to your operation. During the last year it was shown that getting rid of any Staph someone may be carrying could reduce the likelihood of a S. aureus infection after surgery by 50 to 70%. In order to provide our patients with the best possible surgical outcome, we are now screening all patients for S. aureus before any operation on their bones or when they are having a prosthetic device implanted. Those with a positive test will be treated with a nasal ointment (mupirocin) for 5 days to remove the Staph and lower the chance for infection. What is used to treat S. aureus (Staph)? When people carry this germ in their nose there is a treatment that is effective for removing it using a medicine called mupirocin. This medicine is spread inside your nose for five days. We will prescribe it for you, and tell you how to
