MRSA stands for Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. MRSA is resistant to some of the antibiotics that are commonly used to treat infection, including Methicillin (a type of penicillin).
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a strain of bacteria that lives harmlessly on skin and in the lining of the mouth and nose (mucosa) of about one third of healthy people. It can, however, cause infection once it enters the body through a cut or abrasion.
UCLH has been undertaking a major drive against MRSA, within a Trust-wide initiative to eradicate hospital-acquired infection. This includes a screening programme for patients that meet the screening criteria and by ensuring that rigorous infection control measures are in place.