Anyone have medical advice on MRSA?

[nanawaggs]

I'm trying to find out info re: MRSA that may affect my surgery scheduled May 7th. This is robotic surgery that my Uro/gyn can only perform 2x a month due to hospital schedule. My hospital requires MRSA testing for anyone staying overnight.

1. My daughter has been planning to visit May 5 - 11, so she could help with my 88 year old Mom while my husband is tied up at the hospital with me.

2. She & family were called out of town to visit possibly dying mother in law.

3. After visiting today, needing to wear gowns, masks and gloves, they were surprisingly told mother in law has MRSA.

4. I'm trying to find out if my family is at risk.

Does anyone have any clue about this from a professional point of view. Unfortunately, my hospital doesn't have an Advice Line, but my Primary Care does, so I'm waiting for a call from them now.

I truly hate to disappoint my daughter and girls that were planning a trip to Disneyland, but I'm really undecided what to do.

Thanks for any advice..:(.
Ginger

[ICNDonna]

Did you hear back from the advice line?

Donna

For anyone who doesn't know, MRSA means "Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus."

[nanawaggs]

Yes, Donna, I did hear back within the hour last night. The nurse said that because the hospital is one that appears to use great caution....the gowns, gloves, masks, the likelihood of them contracting it is extremely remote. Also, they would have to contract it, and develop their own symptoms...then I would have to be in direct contact with them. So, her advice was that I shouldn't be overly worried at all. Use common sense: no hugging, kissing, touchy feely stuff, and definitely take care washing hands, etc. She again and again used the phrase it would be very remote that anyone would contract it. My daughter confirmed that neither she, her husband or 16 year old daughter had made any skin contact. I was worried about airborne droplets, etc, but since they wore the masks also, we have more assurance of their protection.

I had told my daughter that if I called the hospital we probably already knew the outcome...stay away, so I was amazed at the answer and really drilled her to convince me it was ok.

She did however advise me to call my Primary Care on Monday to reconfirm her advice which I certainly will.

What a scary thing to go through...even though they are immediate family, because of "privacy" issues they weren't told until my daughter finally began to wonder about the nurses response that she certainly wouldn't bring her young children to see their grandmother....they thought they were "dressing up" to protect the "Mom". The nurse said that because the other children are younger, they may not understand the need to not touch things, etc.

Thanks Donna for explaining the name also. Will let you all know what my doctor says Monday.

Hope all are feeling well and able to enjoy the day.
Ginger