What happens when a patient with MRSA is isolated?
Procedures may vary from one hospital to another, but the following often occurs: • The patient is placed in a private room, or in a room with one or more patients who also have MRSA. • The patient’s movement from the room is limited to essential purposes only, such as for medical procedures or emergencies. • Health care workers usually put on gloves (and sometimes hospital gowns) before entering the patient’s room, remove their gloves (and gowns) before leaving the room, and then immediately wash their hands. • Visitors also may be asked to put on gloves (and sometimes gowns), especially if they are helping to take care of the patient and likely to come in contact with the patient’s skin, blood, urine, wound, or other body substances. Visitors should always wash their hands before leaving the patient’s room to make sure they don’t take MRSA out of the room with them. How long does a patient with MRSA have to be isolated? The hospital staff will determine when it is safe for a person w
