Patient information leaflet on antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Prepared by
The infection prevention and control team

What is an antibiotic-multiresistant bacterium?
Common antibiotics cannot eliminate this bacterium. If an infection is caused by such bacteria, treatment and hospitalization will be longer.

What is an antibiotic-multiresistant bacterium “presumed carrier”?
A “presumed carrier” shared a room with a patient who was identified as a carrier during his hospitalization.
OR
A “presumed carrier” has been hospitalized at or transferred from a health care facility facing an uncontrolled outbreak of antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria. Special measures must be used in the treatment of this patient as long as the results of the screening tests are not known. The physical status of the carrier denotes no clinical manifestations or symptoms of the infection.

What is a carrier of antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria?
A patient will be formally identified as a carrier of antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria after testing positive at any one of the screening processes.

Exactly where are these bacteria located?
If you are carrying a MRSA, it will be located in your nostrils.
If you are carrying a VRE, it will be located in your feces.

How are antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria detected?
Analysis of a sample taken from the nostrils allows detection of the MRSA.
Analysis of a sample taken from the feces or the rectum allows detection of the VRE.

How are antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria transmitted?

A) They are transmitted mainly by direct contact between a patient carrying a MRSA and the contaminated hands of a staff member.
B) They are also transmitted by indirect contact with objects touched by a patient carrying a VRE, such as bed bars, alarm bells or doorknobs.

How long can antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria survive?
MRSA can survive in the nostrils for months.
VRE can survive in the intestine for weeks and even months.

How can you collaborate?

  • By following the directions that you were given
  • By washing your hands after going to the bathroom.
  • By asking visitors leaving your room to use the antiseptic gel (located at the door of your room).

How can I know if I no longer carry any antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria?
A follow-up will be done in 12 months. You will receive a letter from the infection prevention committee asking you to undergo a MRSA screening process. Details of this procedure will then be explained to you. Meanwhile, further tests are unnecessary. You will be contacted in due time.

Are any particular precautions needed at home?

  • At home, the MRSA is not any more dangerous than bacteria normally found on our skin, to which we are exposed every day. Ensuring that the carrier and everybody else in the house frequently and carefully wash their hands can easily prevent MRSA transmission.
  • Use your own bathroom towel or use paper towels (avoid having more than one person use the same towel).
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect the bathtub with a common household cleaner.
  • Keep your house clean. This will ensure efficient elimination of the MRSA from your environment.
  • Consequently, the best way to protect yourself and others around you is to wash hands often and thoroughly.