I suppose everyone is subjected to the nasal swabs prior to surgery these days. I was so confident that mine would be negative! But I got the phone call today. I will need to wash with Hibiclens and use a nasal ointment until my surgery. I'm in the US. Is this common practice in other countries?
I also tested positive for MRSA and just had to have nasal ointment for 7 days and then provide 3 clear swabs a week apart for each. They were clear and my surgery went ahead as planned. I did consider that my other half could also be positive, so he tested and was so also had treatment. Would have thought hospital would have considered this as I could of caught it again from him. All good now though. I am in UK
I didn'know it was common in U.S. I've had two surgeries in the last two years and never had this done. I am in Las Vegas. It is not common practice here.
Peg
What exactly is the nasal swab for.I didn't have one my 1st surgery but the Dr.ordered that in my pre op testing for my next surgery on the 28th.
They are testing for MRSA which is a resistant staph infection. Some hospitals are now testing everyone coming in for surgery as they do not want a MRSA outbreak. It is particularly dangerous for people with compromised immune systems.
I guess better safe than sorry. I feel a little better. Thanks Anne68156 !😁
I've had multiple surgeries over than last several years and have never gotten a nasal swab. Maybe this is hospital or surgeon group-specific. I have been asked to use an anti-bacterial soap the night before surgery. I live in NC.
Hey fellow guinea pigs
Never out of 6 surgeries between my wife & I have i heard of. Sounds like a great idea though!!!!!! I wish they would allow us to clean & disinfect our family member's room before they are placed. Because I've seen cleaning that is done at most US hospitals They seem to think because they are under payed ( guessing) their job can be subpar !!!! Staph is a killer that CAN be avoided with proper cleaning of tools, operating room, patients rooms & proper handing & changing of iv lines !! Have been in hospital when nurses all the sudden scramble to redate iv lines cause head floor nurse was returning from vacation !! This was first thing she checked in my room.
Most ALL nurses are great & deeply concerned but only take one slacker to kill ya !!
That all I got to say about that 😜😜😜😜
Luv to all
Good health to all
David .
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. !!!
I understand that testing for MRSA is widely practised across the NHS, In fact in my last pre-op I was swabbed in both my nose and groin (the last place I did myself).
It is common practice here in the UK to screen for MRSA preop for most ops, also if you are admitted as an emergency. Site screened varies according to each hospital but usually is one, two or three sites such as nose, groin, hairline, armpit and any open sores or wounds.
This is part of the work I do, we do around 150 tests a day and about 1% of those are positive even when there has been no known previous exposure or infection.
I did it too.
Mine was not positive for MRSA but for MRSS (a lesser strand- no stmptoms). Still required 5 days of nasal antibiotics. They didn't retest me after tho. Surgery went on as scheduled.
I'm doing the five days of nasal antibiotics and also daily Hibiclens washing. I will not be retested.
Hi Anne,
I had my surgery done in the Charleston, SC (US) area. They tested me for MRSA, but it came back negative. I was surprised by the test, as I'd never had this done before. I was wondering what would happen if it came back positive. Sounds as though they just prescribe additional preventative medicine.
Best wishes with your surgery and recovery. I'm so glad that I had it done
Hi Anne, I am also in the USA but didn't have to have the nasal swab done . I even told the surgeon that I had mrsa in the past and have a history of it . They did not seem to be too concerned , the surgery went as planned but the hospital just took extra precautions after the surgery when entering my room , funny how things are done much differently depending on where we live
Hi Anne68156 I just got back from the Dr. and my swab came back posetive. So I have antibiotics and Hibiculen nasal wash. My right hip surgery is scheduled for the 28th of this month. Still recovering from my left hip surgery in May. I am encouraged to continue on until I'm at my best self again.This has been a tremendous journey so far.
My Hibiclens is a body wash. I have to wash from my neck down to my ankles every day, keeping the Hibiclens on my skin for two minutes before rinsing. My surgery is this Tuesday. I was hoping that I could go with my right hip as it is now more painful, but the clearance had been given for my left hip. I have been told that my right hip may be compensating for my left hip which looks worse on x-rays. I'm a nervous wreck and I can't think straight!
Yes that's correct sorry anne68156 it's a pre surgery wash I have to do for 3 days before my surgery. Sorry for the confusion.
I'm in the uk and had my surgery privately. I had the nasal and groin swabs to test for both mrsa and mssa and tested positive for mssa. I had to use a nasal ointment and wash for 5 days prior to the surgery I was told one third of the population have this on their skin without realising it. I don't understand why everyone isn't routinely given the ointment and wash as it is possible to catch this between the swab tests and the surgery. Better to be safe than sorry.
Sara, it may get to that eventually. It seems like more and more hospitals are testing and if they find it actually helps then I'm sure the numbers will increase.
Hello Anne! This seems to be common practice I too am from the US. Texas to be exact. I had a nasal swab done when I went in to get an injection in my back! Of course had it done last year when I had both my hip surgeries. Linda 🤠