A MHRA warning indicated that without regular changing of filters in Ventilators the MRSA virus was being spread around the hospital environment. In this regard, would the use of an anti-viral filter on electric and pipeline suction equipment help combat the spread of MRSA?

Probably not, because the worst contamination is on the outside of the equipment; and on the curtains; and on the staff uniforms; and on the doctor's hands !

The issue about filters on patient ventilators came about because they found the MRSA bug in the dust inside some ventilators in ICU - on the PCBs etc - and realised that the cooling fan filter hadn't been changed for months and was also heavily contaminated. Filters in the breathing circuit have to be changed or sterilized between every patient anyway.

Thanks Roy. Appreciate your comments. Look forward to the views of others.

Just a slight correction, MRSA is bacterial. Normally our bodies can fight most viruses naturally but with bacterial infections we need the help of antibiotics. MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics so there lies the problem. MRSA is spread by contact therefore if equipment is brought to the workshop without proper decontamination there is a risk to ebme staff. Ensuring that all equipment is accompanied by proper decontamination status documentation is important, although this does not take into account people who complete the form without actually cleaning the equipment!

Bioman, you are correct, MRSA is a bacteria, it is also, as Roy points out, carried very effectively in "dust". It is impossible to decontaminate Medical Equipment 100% . So I was always advised to follow standard hygiene practices. I.e.. wear gloves, wash your hand thoroughly etc. and trust nothing to chance. I would also suggest all staff have a visit from your trust’s infection control. I have found these bods very helpful in the past.
More than can be said for the countless number of quacks that can be found in the Canteen at lunch still donning their theatre gowns.

LIII

Thanks Louis, I was just correcting Keith's view that MRSA was viral. I wasn't correcting Roy's comment re dust. My bit about contact was merely providing an example of how easily the EBME guys could be exposed to MRSA outside of a clinical area i.e. in the workshop the dust aspect just reinforces it. I should have gone one further and stated the importance of a proper hand washing policy. Our Trust is trying to clampdown on the wearing of scrubs and gowns outside of clinical areas as I suspect mosts hospitals are.

Interestly MRSA was a problem when I joined the NHS 10 years ago and has only really hit the media in last few years. I suspect in the early years hospitals kept quiet in the hope it would sort itself out, I wonder whether the government would have injected the money to tackle it had the press not made it a major news item?

Thanks for the correction guys.

I agree Bioman, Going by experience though, Have you ever seen the reaction of the "Theatre Gods" when they are asked to remove their babe magnet attire? Hell haff no fury my friend, hell haff no fury indeed.

LIII

P.S. I am under the impression that the original cause of MRSA is a bi-product of GP's giving out various "Mycins" like sweets, and patients not completing their full course of treatment. On a further note ...how many trusts use +ve room pressure and does it assist in the overall control of infection. We are looking at various systems now. Info on Cost, Problems etc are most welcome.

LIII

Dear Brothers,

In my humble opinion the current MRSA “outbreak” has much to do with overcrowding within hospital wards, lack of simple ventilation, and poor hygiene by hospital staff (you’d think they’d know better, would you not?).

For our own part, I urge you all to insist that only “decontaminated” (ie, clean) equipment is allowed into your workshops, and to follow the advice of Dr. Semmelweis and wash your hands, wash your hands, and then wash your hands!

Remember, however, that the great Dr. Semmelweis was so hounded and ridiculed for beseeching his fellow surgeons to wash their hands after autopsies, before performing surgery, or when delivering a baby, that he ended up in an asylum for the insane!