Swabs Learning Outcomes By the end of the

Swabs

Learning Outcomes By the end of the session you will be able to: • Understand the rationale for taking an MRSA swab • Understand the process and technique of MRSA swabbing

Protocols and Competency • • Guides and protects practice Supports update of knowledge Act within your limitations Practice must be supervised and documented until graduation • Supervision proximity should be negotiated with your supervisor • Keep your skills passport as evidence of training and competency

MRSA Swabbing • Elective admissions – Screened in pre-admission – Outpatients prior to admission • All other patients on admission to clinical areas

MRSA Screen Process

Wound Swabbing Technique Action Remove loose debris from wound bed Rationale To remove high levels of bacteria not representative of the infective organism Take required swab before To collect maximum number of cleaning procedure begins micro-organisms Moisten swab with sterile water if To make swab more absorbent and wound bed dry prolong the survival of bacteria prior to culture Zigzag the swab in a rolling motion To collect representative sample over the surface of the wound Place swab immediately into tube To prevent cross-contamination Complete microbiology request To enable accurate diagnosis form with patient’s symptoms of infection and treatment history

Learning Outcomes You are now able to: • Understand the rationale for taking an MRSA swab • Understand the process and technique of MRSA swabbing