What You Need to Know about Antimicrobial Scrubs
and MRSA
Medical technology is constantly improving
sanitary conditions in hospitals and doctor's offices. Antimicrobial scrubs for
nurses are among the latest improvements to the medical industry. They're
having the greatest impact in the fight against MRSA in Tulsa hospitals. Keep reading to learn more from the scrubs experts at Raley Scrubs.
What is MRSA?
MRSA is short for
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that's very
difficult to treat. As the name implies, MRSA developed in response to the use
of methicillin, a type of antibiotic prescribed to patients with
penicillin-resistant infections. Methicillin was first licensed in England in
1961. The first case of MRSA was discovered not long after as S.
aureus built up a tolerance to the new antibiotic. At first, cases were
isolated to hospitals and prisons in the 1970s. In 1997, approximately 50
percent of all bacterial infections in hospitals were attributed to MRSA.
Risk Factors
Several risk factors are associated with
the contraction and spread of MRSA. MRSA is more common in crowded places like
public parks, colleges, and hospitals. The risk of contraction is higher for
people with implants, prostheses, catheters, and other open wounds. People with
weak immune systems, diabetes, and severe asthma are very susceptible,
especially if they've been admitted to the hospital recently. MRSA is also
spread through intravenous drug use and sharing needles. In the last decade,
hospitals have taken extreme measures to combat the spread of MRSA by
implementing strict sanitary practices and installing antimicrobial dispensers
throughout their facilities.
Antimicrobial Scrubs
Antimicrobial scrubs have also helped
decrease the number of MRSA cases in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
Recent advances in fabric and medical technology have led to the creation of
bacteria-resistant scrub uniforms. During the manufacturing process, the fabric
is saturated with an antimicrobial treatment usually made of silver. The
treatment prevents bacteria from spreading as a doctor or nurse moves from one
patient another. The antimicrobial doesn't wash out even after multiple washes.
A 2012 study by the Virginia Commonwealth University showed a sufficient
reduction of MRSA on scrubs treated with antimicrobial compared to scrubs that
weren't treated. When combined with effective hand-washing techniques,
antimicrobial scrubs Tulsa can
effectively combat the spread of MRSA and help patients recover faster.
