W4: Antibiotic Resistance
Hello class for this scenario I chose to be the patient with possible
MRSA.
1.
Is this infection likely MRSA?
I think the patient does indeed have MRSA. Staphylococcus aureus
(staph), a kind of bacterium, can be found on people's skin. Methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is an antibiotic-resistant
kind of bacteria.
Despite the fact that staph bacteria are normally not hazardous, they
can nonetheless cause illnesses that can be fatal, such as sepsis.
MRSA can occasionally result in serious issues, including pneumonia,
surgical site infections, or bloodstream infections. Through contact
with infected people or objects, MRSA often spreads throughout a
community. This includes sharing personal items like towels or razors
that have come into contact with skin-related illnesses or coming into
contact with an infected wound.
2.
What would a MRSA infection look like on a patient;
for example, describe how the wound presents.
MRSA infections appear red, puffy and pus-filled. Additionally, it
would be warm to the touch and uncomfortable surrounding the
affected area. A fever would also be present in addition to it. The
patient has all of the symptoms that MRSA would consist of.
3.
Was the patient exposed to MRSA in the hospital
prep, during the surgery the week previously or
sometime afterwards (post- discharge)?
I think the patient contracted MRSA following the hospital procedure.
Patients who receive less care at home are more likely to be exposed
to MRSA and feel sick afterward.
4.
Where does liability for this (potential) infection rest?
Is it the responsibility of the patient (making sure she
followed her discharge instructions, etc), nurse(s),
scrub technicians, physicians, surgeons and/or
infectious disease specialists to ensure resistant
diseases are kept in check in hospitals?
I believe the liability lies with the patient. After being released from
the hospital, it is the patient's obligation to take care of themselves
