In the wake of a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) occurrence at the Horst Schmidt Kliniken in Wiesbaden, the TRICARE International SOS office is recommending that all TRICARE beneficiaries who are referred to, or seeking care, at the Horst Schmidt Kliniken to use other TRICARE network options for care on the local economy until further notice. This is a temporary measure only, and affects primarily the maternity and pediatric population.
For any pediatric emergency care issues, the Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic TRICARE advises beneficiaries to go to University Hospital Mainz, Sana Klinikum Offenbach, Uniklinik Frankfurt am Main or the Clementine Kinderhospital Frankfurt.
In a press statement released by Horst Schmidt Kliniken on its website at http://www.helios-kliniken.de/index.php?id=52846 , the hospital confirmed that nine cases of MRSA have occurred in its neonatology ward, and that the hospital is investigating the source. Once the issue is resolved, the temporary restriction will be removed.
Test results are expected in a few days. In the meantime, the hospital is taking measures to address the issue quickly and to ensure patient safety.
MRSA infections in healthcare facilities have been occurring worldwide for several decades. MRSA infections are a significant concern but not a cause for general alarm as they are preventable and treatable.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Staphylococcus aureus or "Staph" is a very common germ that about 1 out of every 3 people has on their skin or in their nose. This germ does not cause any problems for most people who have it on their skin, but sometimes it can cause serious infections such as skin or wound infections, pneumonia, or infections of the blood.
Patients in hospitals are more susceptible. Antibiotics are given to kill Staph germs when they cause infections. Some Staph are resistant, meaning they cannot be controlled by some antibiotics. MRSA is a type of Staph that is resistant to some antibiotics, although there are more powerful treatments that can kill MRSA germs.
People who have MRSA germs on their skin or who are infected with MRSA may be able to spread the germ to other people. MRSA can be passed on to bed linens, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and medical equipment. It can spread to other people on contaminated equipment and on the hands of doctors, nurses, other healthcare providers and visitors.
The only way to know if MRSA is the cause of an infection is to perform a laboratory culture of the bacteria. Obtaining bacteria to culture is a procedure done by a doctor.
To prevent MRSA people everywhere should wash their hands often with soap and water. But it is especially important for people who are in the hospital or a nursing home. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent most infections.
If you are a patient in a hospital, you should also make sure your doctors and nurses wash their hands before they touch you. If there is no sink, they can use an alcohol-based hand gel to clean up. If you are visiting a patient in the hospital ask a healthcare provider if you need to wear protective gowns and gloves when you visit.
For more information on MRSA, visit the CDC MRSA web site at http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/patient/index.html.
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