First Line Treatment:
Nasal Carriage Only
The most effective treatment of nasal carriage is mupirocin (Bactroban
nasal). This should be applied three times daily to the anterior nares.
Treatment should continue for 5 days.
If the strain identified is resistant to mupirocin, the Consultant Microbiologist will advise on alternative treatments.
Once a negative nasal swab has been achieved/noted, Bactroban nasal
should be discontinued.
Carriage At Other Sites:
If MRSA is present on other skin sites the patient should be washed daily for 5 days using an antiseptic detergent, Hibiclens Scrub (chlorhexidine) The solution should be applied to the skin in place of soap using disposable wipes.
Hair should be washed twice weekly using this solution. Normal shampoo may be used after the antiseptic detergent.
If patients are known to suffer with eczema or develop any skin irritation the Infection Control Team should be notified to discuss alternative preparations.
On index patients where the extent of carriage is unknown, antiseptic wash and nasal bactroban should be commenced - once screening results are available treatment will be reviewed and discontinued as necessary.