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It's Time to Focus on Nasal Decolonization
Understanding the seriousness of staph infections can get your team to buy into infection-reducing protocols.
Benjamin D. Galvan, MLS(ASCP)CM, CIC
Publish Date: May 19, 2022   |  Tags:   Infection Prevention Patient Safety
Nasal Decolonization
UP YOUR NOSE A nasal decolonization program that consists of alcohol- or povidone-iodine nasal antiseptics is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of infection.

Studies have shown that up to 30% of the population may be colonized with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in their nares and up to 5% of U.S. hospitalized patients are colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Colonization with S. aureus can lead to a higher risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), which can be dangerous — even deadly — to patients and expensive for providers to treat and possibly litigate.

Understanding the prevalence and seriousness of staph infections is a good starting point to get facilities to see why it’s critically important to start a focused nasal decolonization program and to get their staff on board with such a critical initiative. 

 
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