MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.   It is a bacteria that is resistant to the usual antibiotic treatment.

Anyone can get MRSA. You can get this germ the same way you get the common cold.  This means touching someone or something that has MRSA on it, and then touching your eyes, nose, or skin. 
MRSA can live on people, surfaces, and items for a while – days to weeks. However, you can kill MRSA by using effective cleaning methods.

Beginning in September, every veteran admitted to an inpatient ward at OBVAMC will be screened for MRSA. If you’re found to be an MRSA carrier, here are a few tips.

• At OBVAMC, veterans who test positive for MRSA will be placed in isolation. This is done to reduce the risk of passing it to another veteran.
• Only those patients who have symptoms of infection, or undergo invasive surgery receive an antibiotic treatment for MRSA.

NO!  You will have a cotton swab carefully inserted into your nose. It does not hurt but it may tickle.

Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others around you.
Here are some recommendations that help to prevent the spread of MRSA.

• Use foam alcohol dispensers– they are located throughout the building and in your room. Use them, they are there for you. As you leave and enter your room, wash your hands.
• Make sure to wash your hands before and after participating in group activities such as physical therapy, exercise, and bingo.
• Remind health care workers to wash their hands before attending to you. They could use a friendly reminder just like the rest of us.