Suffering from meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: experiences and understandings of colonisation

Patient Experiences and Perceptions with Infections Due to Multidrug-Resistant Organisms: A Systematic Review

Infections by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose significant public health challenges, including increased mortality rates, healthcare costs, and significant impacts on the quality of life for patients. Utilizing a systematic review methodology adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we performed a comprehensive search across three databases, identifying 20 relevant studies that investigated the psychological effects of infections due to MDROs on hospitalized adults. The primary outcomes examined included depression, anxiety, and other psychosocial impacts, while secondary outcomes included patient and caregiver understanding of the infection. Findings revealed consistent associations between contact isolation due to MDRO infections and heightened levels of depression and anxiety among patients, although evidence regarding the impact on anger was mixed. Other psychological aspects, such as feelings of stigmatization and reduced healthcare provider interactions, were also recorded. The current systematic review highlights the importance of addressing these psychological effects through holistic, patient-centered care approaches, emphasizing the need for better communication and comprehensive education for both patients and healthcare providers. Our findings suggest that mitigating the psychological burden of MDROs can enhance overall patient care and outcomes and call for further research to optimize care strategies for patients hospitalized for infections due to MDROs.

Perceptions of Carriership of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Bacteria: A Qualitative Study

The spread of antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, and resistance mediated by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) can cause major consequences. The aim of this study was to explore individuals' perceptions of their daily life and how they cope after being diagnosed with carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria. A qualitative study was conducted with a descriptive design. Data were collected through individual interviews with 24 persons having ESBL carriership, via a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The informants' perceptions on "Living with uncertainty about carriership that impacts oneself and others" were interpreted. Experiences of altered behaviors and sentiments due to ESBL carriership were described, as ESBL carriership was perceived to have a psychosocial impact on many informants. Ambiguous and inconsistent information tended to exacerbate these perceptions. The results of this study emphasize the importance of conveying individualized information, both at the time of diagnosis of ESBL carriage and thereafter. This study was not registered.

Understanding the lived-experience and support-needs of people living with antimicrobial resistance in the UK through interpretative phenomenological analysis

In the UK nearly 54,000 infections were caused by serious resistant bacteria in 2022 but there is a lack of evidence regarding the long-term impact on patients' lives nor what support they need. This research aimed to answer the question: "What are the key elements of experience and support needs of people living with AMR in the UK?". In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with nine people who had been living with resistant infections or colonisation for 12-months or longer. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to study the accounts and illustrate individuals' experiences and support-needs. Participants experienced marginalisation and isolation but also empowerment; described across three major themes: (1) I live in fear and stigma: The long-term impact of AMR; (2) I am battling on my own: A journey toward self-advocacy; and (3) I like to share my story: The role of AMR communities. All participants perceived a lack of knowledge, information, and support from clinicians; difficulties accessing reliable and understandable information; and lack of understanding from family and friends. Charities and online groups provided support with coping with their situation and improving mental health and wellbeing. Understandable and relatable information regarding the science of AMR, transmission, prevention, and living with AMR needs to be provided by clinicians and healthcare services around the time of diagnosis to readily available after diagnosis.

Psychological outcomes of MRSA isolation in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective secondary analysis with a quantitative, matched-pairs design. Patients isolated due to methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were matched with controls without MRSA infection admitted to a multi-bedded ward, based on: gender, injury level, injury severity (AIS grade), age at the time of injury and year of admission.

OBJECTIVES

Determine the implications of MRSA-related infection isolation on spinal cord injury patients' anxiety, depression, appraisals of disability, perceived manageability and pain intensity. Hypotheses predicted patients who were isolated due to MRSA during inpatient stay would demonstrate poorer psychological health outcomes at discharge in comparison with non-isolated matched controls.

SETTING

National Spinal Injuries Centre, England, UK.

METHODS

Secondary analyses were conducted on pre-existing data based on patients' first admission for primary rehabilitation. Psychometric scales were used to measure outcome variables. Assessments were repeated at the time of admission and discharge.

RESULTS

Nonparametric longitudinal analyses using the nparLD package in R were conducted. Relative treatment effects demonstrated that there were no significant differences between groups across all outcome measures. There was a significant effect of time (admission vs discharge) on perceived manageability and pain intensity, indicating improved outcomes at discharge. There was no difference in the overall length of stay between the isolated and non-isolated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolation experienced by rehabilitation inpatients with spinal cord injury with MRSA had no effect on a series of psychological outcomes. Engaging with rehabilitation had a positive impact in reducing pain unpleasantness and increasing perceived manageability of spinal cord injury, irrespective of infection isolation.

Limited multi-drug resistant organism related stigma in carriers exposed to isolation precautions: an exploratory quantitative questionnaire study

BACKGROUND

Isolation precautions are applied to control the risk of transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). These precautions have been associated with adverse effects, such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to quantify stigma among MDRO carriers and its association with perceived mental health and experienced quality of care.

METHODS

A quantitative questionnaire study was performed in MDRO carriers exposed to ≥3 days of isolation precautions during hospitalization. Items derived from the Consumer Quality Index questionnaire (CQI) were used to assess perception of care. Stigma scores were calculated using the recently modified Berger Stigma Scale for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Mental health was measured with the RAND Mental Health Inventory. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to assess the association between stigma score and RAND mental health score.

FINDINGS

Of the 41 included carriers, 31 (75.6%) completed both questionnaires. The experienced quality of care was 'good' according to CQI score. Twenty-four percent reported not to have received proper explanation about MDRO carriership from healthcare workers (HCWs). MDRO-associated stigma was reported in 1/31 (3.2%). Poor mental health was self-reported in 3/31 (9.7%). There was no correlation between stigma score and RAND mental health score (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.347).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, MDRO carriers exposed to ≥3 days of isolation precautions did not report stigma. This contrasts with a recent study that investigated MRSA-associated stigma and may be explained by contact plus airborne isolation protocols in MRSA compared with contact isolation alone in most other MDROs. Also, the psychological impact may be of a different magnitude due to as yet unknown reasons.

Perceptions of Dutch nurses carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a qualitative study

Background

Carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) experience a variety of personal and social consequences, despite the asymptomatic nature of carriage. Some of these consequences are inherent to the application in practice of strict infection prevention guidelines. However, the experiences of nurses carrying MRSA have not been documented. This study aimed to describe the experiences of nurses carrying MRSA to get insight into the impact of MRSA carriage on nurses in a country with a “search-and-destroy” policy for MRSA.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted among eighteen nurses who experienced MRSA carriage and were working in healthcare organizations in the Netherlands (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes and home care). Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were audio tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

MRSA carriage has an impact on the life of nurses during four distinct phases: becoming aware of carrying MRSA, processing information and guidance, experiencing consequences of carriage and, when applicable, a life after eradication of MRSA. Each phase was found to be associated with negative consequences. The impact of MRSA carriage on the daily life of nurses is mostly influenced by the experience of consequences of MRSA carriage – including a ban to work with patients, eradication treatment with antibiotics, and social isolation from others – despite the asymptomatic nature of MRSA carriage itself. In addition, lack of information and guidance increased the impact of carriage.

Conclusions

This study shows nurses experience various consequences of MRSA carriage, despite the asymptomatic nature of carriage. The work ban, eradication treatment and social isolation influenced the nurses’ work-related future, personal health and social environment. The impact of carriage may be reduced by clear information and guidance, and support from others. Therefore, sufficient information and guidance needs to be given to MRSA carriers by healthcare organizations.

Source isolation and patient wellbeing in healthcare settings

Multi-resistant bacteria pose an increasing and significant challenge to public health. Isolation precautions in patients with multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other communicable infectious agents can be associated with adverse effects. Although few would dispute the need for such practices in preventing the spread of transmissible infections, patients' perspectives of isolation suggest that the imposed environment creates barriers to their physical, social and emotional needs. This article reviews the literature to uncover any reliable evidence supporting the assertion that the experience of isolation in healthcare settings impacts adversely on patient wellbeing. Database searches identified 25 relevant papers published between 1990 and 2017. A number of studies claimed to have uncovered an association between negative patient experiences and isolation.

The stigmatisation of source isolation: a literature review

Background

Isolation precautions in patients with multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other communicable infectious agents can be associated with adverse effects. Patients' perspectives of isolation suggest that the imposed environment and procedures create barriers to their physical, social and emotional needs.

Aims

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to uncover any reliable evidence supporting the assertion that stigma is a significant characteristic of the experience of source isolation in healthcare settings.

Methods

The methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley was applied to this review. A total of 14 papers identified from 189 abstracts screened were included in the review.

Results

The research reviewed suggests a clear association between stigmatisation and isolation in which stigma does have a direct negative effect on patients placed in hospital isolation. None of the studies found evidence to the contrary.

Conclusions

The implications of this literature review for policy-makers and healthcare professionals suggest that when isolation or other forms of constraint are implemented and in use, patients must be provided with strengthened forms of support, including social and emotional support, and given access to healthcare of optimal quality to prevent the associated adverse effects of isolation as much as possible.

Patient experience of hospital screening for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: A qualitative study

AIM

To explore patients' accounts of screening and being managed for colonisation with the antimicrobial resistant organism, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), when in hospital.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been identified as one of the biggest global health challenges of the 21st Century. As the threat from AMR grows, screening to identify patients who are colonised with resistant organisms such as CPE is becoming an increasingly important aspect of nursing practice, in order to reduce risk of transmission of infection within hospitals. There is currently little research evidence on the patient experience of hospital management of CPE colonisation.

METHODS

Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken, using a topic guide. Nine patients participated in the study. The data were analysed thematically, and rigour was maintained through peer review. The COREQ checklist was used.

RESULTS

Two main themes were identified: "I can't make sense of CPE," illustrating limitations in patients' understandings of CPE; and, "I feel as if they are saying it is my fault," indicating the feelings of responsibility and blame which patients experienced.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper contributes original evidence to the limited literature on patients' experiences of being colonised with CPE. The findings suggest that support and information provided for patients by healthcare professionals needs to be based on current evidence-based guidance on the nature of CPE and its implications for patient care, as well as being responsive to patients' emotional needs.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study has international relevance for nursing practice. As the global threat of AMR grows, the demands on healthcare providers to manage resistant organisms and their implications for patient care within healthcare settings are increasing. Enabling healthcare professionals to engage sensitively with patients being managed for colonisation with CPE is paramount to providing patient-centred care.

Experiences and consequences of living with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The number of people who become carriers of antibiotic-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is steadily increasing. A carrier of ESBL can potentially be stressful for individuals, affecting their daily lives.

METHODS

The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of experiences and consequences of being an ESBL carrier. A modified version of the grounded theory was used to analyze 16 open interviews.

RESULTS

The analysis resulted in the core category "to handle the new life situation." The results showed a lack of information being passed by attending doctors to study participants about ESBL and the consequences for their daily lives. This insufficient information initially caused fear and anxiety, leading to participants instead searching for information themselves using the Internet. Armed with this information, they developed strategies to continue with their lives as before. As patients they experienced staff that were respectful, showed no stigmatization toward ESBL carriership, and used correct hygiene routines.

CONCLUSIONS

When the information from the attending doctor about ESBL carriers is insufficient, patients often use the Internet to obtain additional information. With the use of this information, patients develop strategies to cope with their lives.

Experiences of carriers of multidrug-resistant organisms: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

A comprehensive overview of the ways control measures directed at carriers of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) affect daily life of carriers is lacking. In this systematic literature review, we sought to explore how carriers experience being a carrier and how they experience being subjected to control measures by looking at the impact on basic capabilities.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase and PsychINFO until 26 May 2016 for studies addressing experiences of MDRO carriers. Twenty-seven studies were included, addressing experiences with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 21), ESBL (n = 1), multiple MDRO (n = 4) and other (n = 1, not specified). We categorized reported experiences according to Nussbaum's capability approach.

RESULTS

Carriage and control measures were found to interfere with quality of care, cause negative emotions, limit interactions with loved ones, cause stigmatization, limit recreational activities and create financial and professional insecurity. Further, carriers have difficulties with full comprehension of the problem of antimicrobial resistance, thus affecting six out of ten basic capabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Applying Nussbaum's capability approach visualizes an array of unintended consequences of control measures. Carriers experience stigmatization, especially in healthcare settings, and have limited understanding of their situation and the complexities of antimicrobial resistance.

Understanding the patient experience of health care-associated infection: A qualitative systematic review

BACKGROUND

The global burden of health care-associated infection (HAI) is well recognized; what is less well known is the impact HAI has on patients. To develop acceptable, effective interventions, greater understanding of patients' experience of HAI is needed. This qualitative systematic review sought to explore adult patients' experiences of common HAIs.

METHODS

Five databases were searched. Search terms were combined for qualitative research, HAI terms, and patient experience. Study selection was conducted by 2 researchers using prespecified criteria. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme quality appraisal tools were used. Internationally recognized Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were applied. The Noblit and Hare (1988) approach to meta-synthesis was adopted.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies (2001-2017) from 5 countries addressing 5 common types of HAI met the inclusion criteria. Four interrelated themes emerged: the continuum of physical and emotional responses, experiencing the response of health care professionals, adapting to life with an HAI, and the complex cultural context of HAI.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of different HAIs may vary; however, there are many similarities in the experience recounted by patients. The biosociocultural context of contagion was graphically expressed, with potential impact on social relationships and professional interactions highlighted. Further research to investigate contemporary patient experience in an era of antimicrobial resistance is warranted.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: The Effects Are More Than Skin Deep

OBJECTIVES

To assess the psychosocial effects of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) diagnosis on the households of children with MRSA skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI).

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed and administered an interview to the primary caregiver within the home of a child with a history of MRSA SSTI.

RESULTS

Seventy-six households were enrolled. Survey responses were analyzed and grouped into 4 themes: health behavior changes, disclosure, social interactions, and knowledge/awareness. The most common theme was disclosure; 91% of participants reported sharing their child's MRSA diagnosis with someone outside of the household. Forty-two percent of respondents reported a change in the manner in which household contacts interacted as a result of the index patient's MRSA diagnosis, including isolating the index patient from other children in the household. Many households reported adopting enhanced personal hygiene behaviors and environmental cleaning routines. Thirty-eight percent of participating households reported altering how they interact with people outside of their home, largely to avoid spreading MRSA to vulnerable individuals. In addition, many participants perceived that others regarded them with caution, especially at daycare, whereas other affected households were excluded from family gatherings.

CONCLUSION

Primary caregivers of children with MRSA SSTI reported changing their health behaviors, altering their interactions with people outside of their home, and feeling isolated by others in response to their child's MRSA diagnosis. The findings of our study highlight a need for community interventions and education to prevent the negative psychosocial repercussions associated with MRSA.

How do Clostridium difficile infections affect nurses' everyday hospital work: A qualitative study

This qualitative study explored the impact of Clostridium difficile infections on nurses' everyday work in the hospital. Twelve nurses (six in France and six in the United States) were interviewed in depth using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis of the interviews was performed. Managing diarrhoea and taking precautionary measures for infection control were the two most inconvenient aspects nurses reported with C. difficile patient management. Precautions included contact isolation, hand hygiene and reorganization/coordination of nursing care and ward. Precautions were time consuming and significantly increased nurses' workload when combined with caring for patients with uncontrollable, frequent bouts of diarrhoea. Management of C. difficile infection is extremely burdensome for nurses in their everyday work and disruptive to hospital organizations as a whole. Prevention of C. difficile infections, together with coordinated team work and communication, would therefore contribute to decreasing nurses' workload and the burden to health-care facilities associated with caring for these patients.

The Benefits of a Preoperative MRSA Swabbing Protocol

Infection control practices pose a challenge to nursing care in general, but can have a huge negative impact on the perioperative process. Prior to July of 2012, our institution did not perform routine methacillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening on preoperative patients with a prior history of MRSA. This resulted in patients remaining in isolation throughout their entire perioperative course. Screening for MRSA was delayed until the patient arrived in the medical surgical unit. Many of these patients were later found to have negative nasal swabs. The delay in screening often resulted in the unnecessary use of supplies (increased cost), delayed post anesthesia care unit (PACU) bay turnover and decreased staff satisfaction. Meetings with Hospital Infection Control, lab personnel and PACU staff resulted in the development of a preoperative MRSA swabbing protocol. In July of 2012 a preoperative MRSA swabbing protocol was implemented. Since implementation, the PACU has experienced a cost savings between $7,200- $11,800, a minimum of 40 minutes on PACU bay turnover and an increase in staff satisfaction.

Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a virulent organism causing substantial morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Chlorhexidine gluconate, a topical antiseptic solution, is effective against a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including MRSA. Objectives To examine the impact of a bathing protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate and bath basin management on MRSA acquisition in 5 adult intensive care units and to examine the cost differences between chlorhexidine bathing by using the bath-basin method versus using prepackaged chlorhexidine-impregnated washcloths.

METHODS

The protocol used a 4-oz bottle of 4% chlorhexidine gluconate soap in a bath basin of warm water. Patients in 3 intensive care units underwent active surveillance for MRSA acquisition; patients in 2 other units were monitored for a new positive culture for MRSA at any site 48 hours after admission.

RESULTS

Before the protocol, 132 patients acquired MRSA in 34333 patient days (rate ratio, 3.84). Afterwards, 109 patients acquired MRSA in 41376 patient days (rate ratio, 2.63). The rate ratio difference is 1.46 (95% CI, 1.12-1.90; P = .003). The chlorhexidine soap and bath basin method cost $3.18 as compared with $5.52 for chlorhexidine-impregnated wipes (74% higher).

CONCLUSIONS

The chlorhexidine bathing protocol is easy to implement, cost-effective, and led to decreased unit-acquired MRSA rates in a variety of adult intensive care units.

Experiences of nursing staff caring for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a resistant variant of S. aureus and can cause pneumonia, septicaemia and, in some cases, death. Caring for patients with antibiotic resistant bacteria is a challenge for healthcare personnel. There is a risk of spreading the bacteria among patients and of healthcare personnel being infected themselves.

AIM

To describe nursing staffs' experiences of caring for patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus in Sweden.

METHOD

A descriptive qualitative approach was used and 15 nurses from different hospitals and care units, including emergency and geriatric wards and nursing homes in Stockholm, were interviewed. All nurses had been involved in the care of patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus, but not on a regular basis. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

Three themes emerged from the data: feeling ignorant, afraid and insecure, feeling competent and secure and feeling stressed and overworked. The more knowledge the nurses acquired about methicillin-resistant S. aureus, the more positive was their attitude to caring for these patients.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Caring for patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus without adequate knowledge of how to protect oneself and other patients against transmission may provoke anxiety among personnel. Guidelines, memos and adequate information at the right time are of central importance. Healthcare personnel must feel safe in their role as caregivers. All patients have the right to have the same quality of care regardless of the diagnosis and a lack of knowledge influences the level of care given.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

This study demonstrates the importance of education when caring for patients with infectious diseases. Hopefully, knowledge gained from our study can provide guidance for future health care when new diseases and infections occur.

Being Met as marked - patients' experiences of being infected with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

BACKGROUND

It is known that patients who acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals suffer and feel as plague. Moreover, the patient interaction with nurses and physicians is described as frightening. Little is known about patient experiences after having acquired CA-MRSA concerning care and everyday life.

AIM

To reveal and interpret otherwise healthy patients' lived experiences of receiving care and their everyday life after having acquired community MRSA (CA-MRSA).

METHODS

A phenomenological hermeneutic approach guided by Ricouer was conducted. Interviews with twelve patients were transcribed verbatim into a text. The text was analysed in three phases: naive understanding, structural analysis and comprehensive understanding to reveal a possible being in the world. In this study, this referred to what it means to be infected with CA-MRSA.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that patients who acquired MRSA experience a changed body image. They suffer from ignorant and frightened behavior from healthcare workers, social contacts, and also of being bullied by colleagues. Despite this, patients assume great responsibility for protecting others. However, knowledgeable staff alleviate suffering and bring peace of mind to the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventing patient's feelings of being a pest, an outsider living with fear, requires urgent education and understanding about resistant bacteria and how to meet an infected patient. The results describing patients, affected with MRSA, may contribute and touch the readers to better understanding of patient's changed body image and suffering and how to mitigate these feelings.

The stigmatization dilemma in public health policy--the case of MRSA in Denmark

BACKGROUND

Multi-resistant bacteria pose an increasing and significant public health risk. As awareness of the severity of the problem grows, it is likely that it will become the target for a range of public health interventions. Some of these can intentionally or unintentionally lead to stigmatization of groups of citizens.

DISCUSSION

The article describes the phenomenon of stigmatization within the health care area by discussing the concept in relation to AIDS and psychiatric diagnosis. It unfolds the ethical aspects of using stigmatization as a public health instrument to affect unwanted behaviours e.g. smoking. Moreover it discusses stigmatization as an unintended albeit expected side effect of public health instruments potentially used to counter the challenge of multi-resistant bacteria with particular reference to the Danish case of the growing problems with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) within pig production. We argue that using stigmatization as a direct means to achieve public health outcomes is almost always ethically illegitimate. Autonomy and dignity considerations count against it, and the cost-benefit analysis that might by some be taken to outweigh these considerations will be fundamentally uncertain. We further argue that interventions where stigmatization is a side-effect need to fulfil requirements of proportionality, and that they may fall prey to 'the stigmatization dilemma', i.e. the dilemma that arises when all policy options are potentially stigmatizing but stigmatize different groups. When this dilemma obtains the decision-maker should choose the intervention that does not lead to permanent stigmatization and that stigmatizes as few as possible, as briefly as possible, and as little as possible.

MRSA-colonized persons' and healthcare personnel's experiences of patient-professional interactions in and responsibilities for infection prevention in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Patient-professional interactions and adherence to infection control measures are central to the quality of care and patient safety in healthcare. Persons colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) describe insufficient support and unprofessional behavior among healthcare personnel.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to investigate managers', physicians', registered nurses' and MRSA-colonized persons' experiences of patient-professional interactions in relation to and responsibilities for infection prevention in the care of colonized patients. Five persons with MRSA colonization and 20 healthcare personnel employed within infection, hematology, nephrology or primary healthcare settings participated. The data were collected using open-ended semi-structured individual interviews with the MRSA-colonized persons and semi-structured focus group interviews with the healthcare personnel.

RESULTS

The participants perceived MRSA as an indefinable threat and described that the responsibility for infection prevention is important, but such adherence was a neglected and negotiable issue. The described actions that were acknowledged as unprofessional and inappropriate adherence to infection prevention resulted in stigmatized patients.

CONCLUSION

Colonized persons' and healthcare personnel's understanding of MRSA determines whether the personnel's behavior is perceived as proper or improper. Individual responsibility for patient-professional interactions in relation to MRSA colonization and adherence to infection control measures should be more stringent.

'The body gets used to them': patients' interpretations of antibiotic resistance and the implications for containment strategies

BACKGROUND

Interventions promoting evidence based antibiotic prescribing and use frequently build on the concept of antibiotic resistance but patients and clinicians may not share the same assumptions about its meaning.

OBJECTIVE

To explore patients' interpretations of 'antibiotic resistance' and to consider the implications for strategies to contain antibiotic resistance.

DESIGN

Multi country qualitative interview study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and twenty-one adult patients from primary care research networks based in nine European countries who had recently consulted a primary care clinician with symptoms of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI).

APPROACH

Semi-structured interviews with patients following their consultation and subjected to a five-stage analytic framework approach (familiarization, developing a thematic framework from the interview questions and the themes emerging from the data, indexing, charting, and mapping to search for interpretations in the data), with local network facilitators commenting on preliminary reports.

RESULTS

The dominant theme was antibiotic resistance as a property of a 'resistant human body', where the barrier to antibiotic effectiveness was individual loss of responsiveness. Less commonly, patients correctly conceptualized antibiotic resistance as a property of bacteria. Nevertheless, the over-use of antibiotics was a strong central concept in almost all patients' explanations, whether they viewed resistance as located in either the body or in bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients were aware of the link between antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. The identification of the misinterpretation of antibiotic resistance as a property of the human body rather than bacterial cells could inform clearer clinician-patient discussions and public health interventions through emphasising the transferability of resistance, and the societal contribution individuals can make through more appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use.

The multidrug-resistant bacteria attitude questionnaire: validity and understanding of responsibility for infection control in Swedish registered district, haematology and infection nurses

AIM

To assess the discriminative and construct validity of the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire and to study registered nurses' knowledge of, behaviour toward and emotional responses to patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria in relation to how they understand their own, managers' and politicians' responsibility for adherence to preventive measures for infection control.

BACKGROUND

Multidrug-resistant organisms are a global problem and an essential topic in healthcare regarding patient safety improvement.

DESIGN

Descriptive and correlational cross-sectional survey.

METHOD

Data were collected in a non-random sample consisting of 397 registered nurses; district, haematology or infection registered nurses. One-way analysis of variance and independent t-tests were used for comparisons and a principal component analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Discriminative and construct validity were supported, as the infection registered nurses generally had higher scores on knowledge, behaviour and emotional response, compared with district registered nurses and haematology registered nurses and the three-factor solution was confirmed. Registered nurses with higher scores on knowledge and emotional response attributed greater responsibility to themselves and to politicians. The Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire was translated using a forward-back translation process.

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties. Insufficient knowledge of, behaviour toward and emotional response to patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria were described, but the registered nurses did estimate their own responsibility for adherence to preventive measures for infection control as being great or very great.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

There is a considerable need to improve knowledge, behaviour and emotional response regarding infection prevention measures among healthcare workers. The hospital management are responsible for such improvements and the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire is useful in identifying such needs, as it has adequate psychometric properties and is able to discriminate between groups. Evaluation among healthcare workers may indicate where to situate additional training, as this is of clinical significance for safe care.

MRSA: A Challenge to Norwegian Nursing Home Personnel

In Norway, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing in primary healthcare, associated with imported cases and outbreaks in long-term care. According to Norwegian national guidelines, MRSA-exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients are tested. Carriage of MRSA leads to exclusion from work in healthcare institutions. In this study, 388 staff members in 42 nursing homes in Oslo County responded to questions about personal experience with MRSA and of own attitudes to challenges associated with the control and treatment of MRSA patients. Half (52%) of the nursing staff were concerned of becoming infected with MRSA and the consequences of this would be for own social life, family, economy, and work restriction. The concern was associated with risk factors like old buildings not suitable for modern infection control work, low staffing rate (70% without specific training in healthcare and 32% without formal healthcare education), defective cleaning and decolonization, and lack of formal routines and capacity for isolation of MRSA patients. Since the Norwegian MRSA guideline permits patients with persistent MRSA infections to move freely around in nursing homes, the anxiety of the staff to become infected and excluded from job was real.

Attitudes toward patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria: scale development and psychometric evaluation

There is a need for validated assessment tools for measuring attitudes towards patients with multid-rug-resistant bacteria. Such an assessment tool was developed and psychometrically evaluated in the present study. A literature review and discussions with experts and key informants were used to develop the questionnaire. To ensure item adequacy and interpretability, face validity and pre-tests were performed. Item validity, content validity and internal consistency reliability were evaluated in a non-random sample of 329 hemodialysis nurses. The psychometric properties were satisfactory, indicating good item validity. The content validity revealed three appropriate factors with good internal consistency reliability. The haemodialysis nurses′ knowledge about multidrug-resistant bacteria was not sufficient, and their intentional behaviour was unsatisfactory with respect to infection control precautions. The multidrug-resistant bacteria Attitude Questionnaire would be a valuable tool, in nursing practice and nursing education, in promoting quality improvements in patient safety with regard to healthcare associated infections.