Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Staphylococcus aureus or "staph" can infect wounds in the skin, cause
pneumonia, or cause infections of the blood.
• MRSA is a type of staph that cannot be killed by some of the antibiotics
used to treat staph infections.
• People commonly carry MRSA on their skin or in their nose without
developing an infection. The chance of getting an MRSA infection
from visiting a person who has MRSA is low. Still, MRSA can spread on
equipment, room surfaces, and on the hands of healthcare professionals
and visitors. Visitors should follow instructions carefully when they are
visiting a patient who has an MRSA infection.
• As a visitor, follow the Steps to Protect Patients and Yourself.
You may be asked to wear a disposable gown and gloves during your visit.
Before and after you use gloves, wash your hands with soap and water.
Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by facility.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
• Clostridioides difficile or "C. diff" (pronounced See-dif) is a germ that can
cause severe diarrhea. Most cases of C. diff infection occur in patients
who are taking antibiotics. While anyone can get C. diff, people who were
recently in the hospital have the highest risk. C. diff can live outside the
human body for a long time, in the bathroom, on equipment, on other
surfaces, and on hands.
• As a visitor, follow the Steps to Protect Patients and Yourself.
You may be asked to wear a disposable gown and gloves during your visit.
Before and after you use gloves, wash your hands with soap and water.
Requirements for wearing gowns and gloves may vary by facility.
Pediatric Patients
Some pediatric patients – especially pre-term newborns – can get sick very
easily. Caregivers and visitors should be up-to-date with their vaccines,
meaning that they have gotten the vaccines recommended for them.
Vaccinated caregivers and visitors protect vulnerable patients by "cocooning"
them with their protection.
Pediatric patients may not be able to follow instructions consistently.
Caregivers may need to help them with the steps in this guide and any
special instructions from the healthcare team.