Consumer Information

Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Vancomycin resistant staphylococcus (staf-i-lo-KOK-us) aureus (VRSA) infection is a condition caused by bacteria (germs). This infection occurs when bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus or Staph, becomes resistant (not killed) to the antibiotic medicine vancomycin. With VRSA infection, the wrong or frequent use of vancomycin causes the Staph bacteria to become resistant. This makes vancomycin no longer effective, and other antibiotics have to be used in treatment. VRSA may cause severe infections in the body. These may include infections of the skin, blood, lungs, heart, and brain.
Common signs and symptoms of VRSA infection include high fever, body weakness, cough, or troubled breathing. You may also have pus coming from an infected wound or tube. VRSA infection can be diagnosed by doing cultures of wound discharge (pus) or secretions (mucus) from the nose. Cultures may also be done by using your blood, urine, or sputum (spit). Treatment may include antibiotic medicines, incision and drainage, and surgery. It is important to follow good personal hygiene like frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of VRSA infection. With proper treatment, you have a greater chance of having a full recovery. As your caregiver for information on these tests and treatments.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

VRSA infection is a rare but serious, life-threatening disease, and proper treatment should not be delayed. If not treated early and correctly, VRSA infection can make you very sick. The bacteria could infect your skin and spread to your blood and other organs. VRSA infection may badly damage your heart, brain, or kidneys, and lead to organ failure. Organ failure means your body organs cannot work well enough to get oxygen to the cells of your body.
Sometimes, treatment for VRSA infection may cause unwanted side effects. Medicines may cause nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or skin rashes. You may need stronger or multiple antibiotics or surgery to treat your infection and other problems. These antibiotics may cause kidney or liver damage. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your infection, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Intake and output: Your caregivers may need to know the amount of liquid you are getting. They may also need to know how much you are urinating. Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Certain foods also contain liquid. You may need more or less liquid each day. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should have each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine before you dispose of it.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.

Isolation: You may be put on isolation safety measures if you have an infection or disease that may be given to others. Caregivers and visitors may need to wear gloves, a face mask, or a gown. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving to keep from spreading germs.

Tests: You may have any of the following:

Blood and urine tests: Samples of your blood or urine are collected and sent to a lab for tests.
Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs. Cultures: Cultures are done by taking samples from your skin, wound discharge (pus), or secretions (mucus) from the nose. Your blood, urine, or sputum (spit) may also be cultured. These are sent to a lab where bacteria (germs) are allowed to grow to check for your VRSA infection. Caregivers may also test which antibiotic would be the most effective in treating your infection.

Treatment options: You may need any of the following:

Incision and drainage Caregivers may drain the fluid or pus that has collected in your infected area.
Surgery: Surgery may also be done depending on where and how bad your infection is. This may be more likely if you have metal implants in your body. VRSA likes to live on and around metal implants, especially in artificial heart valves. You may also need surgery if your antibiotic is not working. Ask your caregiver for more information about having surgery in treating VRSA infection.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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