What can I do to reduce my risk of catching MRSA?

If you are going into hospital, there are a number of simple things you can do to reduce your risk of acquiring MRSA:

• Use a bactericidal soap and shampoo (available from pharmacies) for a few days before you go into hospital (in accordance with soap manufacturers instructions).
• Take your own supplies of handwash and/or hand wipes and always wash or clean your hands after using the toilet and before and after eating
• Wear shoes or slippers when walking around.
• Make sure that staff have washed or cleaned their hands before they touch you. If you are not sure whether they have washed their hands, ask them to do so - there is no need to feel embarrassed about doing this.
• If the area around your hospital bed is dirty, insist that it is cleaned.
• Try not to get too close to other patients. Avoid sharing books, newspapers etc and avoid all contact with other people's wounds or with material contaminated from wounds.

If you would like further information on reducing the risks of acquiring MRSA, request a copy of our free booklet Making Sense of MRSA.