Danger for the child?

Question

Dear expert team,

I am a nurse and currently on maternity leave. Our three year old son was diagnosed with CF a short time ago. Following the first shock we are doing well and I am thinking about working as a nurse again soon. And that is the problem! I worked at a surgical ward (having contact to MRSA relatively often) and also would like to go back to this ward. What do you think about this? Is this an increased risk for my child? Or is it sufficient to follow the regular hygiene rules in order to be able to start working there without being worried? Alternatively, I could also try to find another ward – but I am not so sure if this would really make a difference… After all, a hospital is always a place for all kinds of germs…

Thank you for your opinion,
Rita

Answer

Dear questioner,

It is understandable that you are worried. Studies about personnel of hospital wards show that colonisation with MRSA is very low. It surely happens that nursing staff is colonised but in general this does not happen so often. Certainly, the risk cannot be excluded completely. However, by following strictly all hygienic measures when being in contact with MRSA patients (surgical mask, gloves, white coat, frequent hand desinfection) the colonisation of the staff can surely be reduced to a minimum. And you are right: as a matter of course MRSA germs can also be found on other wards. Therefore, it is no advantage to change the ward.
In my opinion, the risk to bring home MRSA is relatively low if you follow closely all hygienic guidelines.

Best regards,
Barbara Kahl

12.03.2010