An evaluation of patient satisfaction regarding the care and information provided by infection control nurses relating to MRSA

Meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has attracted much sensationalist reporting from the media in recent years and has contributed to a high level of anxiety among the public in general. In response to this, and bearing in mind the Department of Health's encouragement to involve the patient in improving healthcare services, the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) at a large acute NHS trust undertook an evaluation of patient satisfaction with their MRSA related care. The aim was to improve the service currently offered by IPCT to inpatients who are either infected or colonised with MRSA. The survey demonstrated a general satisfaction with the current service. However, several recommendations are under review as a consequence of the study, including: ■ Content of information leaflets ■ Content of MRSA educational programmes ■ Ensuring attendance at mandatory infection control education sessions ■ The method of information provision for patients with MRSA ■ The amount of protected time for link practitioners. Other trusts may have similar issues, levels of patient satisfaction and patient concerns, and infection prevention and control teams may find it beneficial to review the issues identified through this survey.