Dr Ed Raby1, Ms. Kaitlin Pedersen1
1Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group, Murdock, Australia
Biography:
Kaitlin Pedersen RN, BSc Nurs, Kaitlin has been working in the infection prevention and control speciality for over past two years. Prior to joining the IPC team, Kaitlin experience reached across both medical and surgical specialities.
Abstract:
Background
A quality improvement activity was undertaken exploring the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) risk in the prisoner population presenting to the hospital and potential for initiation of decolonisation treatment to commence during admission and continuation within the Department of Justice
Actions
Prisoners presenting to Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) for ongoing care and management were routinely screened for MRSA to identify if the prevalence of MRSA was significant within this population and implement appropriate measures to treat and reduce transmission within healthcare facility.
Implementation
Targeted screening was undertaken with nursing staff having access to signed pathology forms in clinical areas to undertake MRSA screening. Infection prevention and control teams provided ongoing education to clinical areas and reviewed specimen results. Of 54 prisoners, 17 were screened for MRSA with five returning positive results including two newly identified patients. Of 37 not screened, 11 were already known MRSA positive. Overall MRSA prevalence was 30%.
Conclusion
Challenges within the QI project noted that a high proportion of patients were admitted and discharged on the same day which led to missed opportunities for screening. All known MRSA positive patients were able to be reviewed, and the appropriateness of clearance screening or decolonisation treatment undertaken. The outcomes of the project have generated changes to practice with all prisoners screened on admission to the hospital. This project has encouraged collaboration with the department of Justice teams so all pre booked surgical cases are screened prior to admission and where appropriate decolonisation is also commenced within the prison.