Surgical Staph Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is the bacteria responsible for most minor skin infections, however, some of them can become serious. MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is also the type of staph infection most commonly contracted in a hospital setting. If MRSA enters the bloodstream through a surgical wound, it can become life threatening. Understanding how staph infections occur after surgery, what can be done to prevent it and how they are treated can help you advocate for yourself or your loved ones in a hospital setting.
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Significance
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While most staph infections are highly treatable, the Centers for Disease Control reports staph infections contracted in a hospital setting, including surgical wound staph infections, are more difficult to treat and more prone to developing complications.
There is a 20 to 44 percent mortality rate for patients who develop endocarditis (heart infection) from staph. An 11 to 43 percent mortality rate in patients who develop blood infections because of staph has also been reported by the CDC.
Symptoms
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According to the CDC, staph infections, including MRSA, usually begin with a boil or a pimple-like bump that can be swollen and become painful. These infections often have drainage and feel hot to the touch. In the case of surgical wound staph infections, the site around the wound may become inflamed, drainage-filled and hot to the touch.
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Risk
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People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing staph infections. Undergoing recent surgical procedures often weakens the immune system, setting the stage for staph to develop.
The CDC reports that people most at risk for staph infections include those who have had surgery, or have had recent medical procedures, including catheters.
Surgeries that place people at the highest risk for developing staph infections at the wound site include those who undergo orthopedic surgery and cardiac surgery.
It is usually transmitted from patient to patient, or from health care worker to patient in the hospital setting. The insertion of pacemakers, syringes or other medical tools can also cause staph to enter the body.
Complications
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Minor complications surrounding surgical staph infections include skin abscesses near the surgical wound, inflammation and pain. Serious complications can include toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, blood infections and infections of the heart.
Tests and treatment
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Staph is diagnosed through a swab culture taken at the site of the wound. Once it is determined that you have staph you will be treated with a course of antibiotics. Depending on the seriousness of the infection, your antibiotics will be administered through an IV, a pill or a combination of both methods.
The CDC reports that surgical staph infections among those that have become highly resistant to antibiotics. Worldwide, 95 percent of patients who develop staph infections will not respond to the first antibiotic course.
Precautions
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Steps to take to reduce your risk of developing a surgical staph infection include asking every health care provider who cares for you to wash and sanitize hands before administering care, investigating the hospital and staff track records and getting your surgery done at a hospital with a low rate of reported staph infections. Also, ask all visitors to wash and sanitize their hands upon entering your hospital room.
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