Using Clinical Guidelines and Clinical Acumen to Manage Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection

• The environment is an unrecognized reservoir for CA-MRSA infection.
• Individualized approach to treatment of CA-MRSA promotes best practice.
• Minimizing infection rates requires treatment beyond traditional approaches.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection is spread by skin to skin contact and surface to skin contact. The environment is an unrecognized, inanimate reservoir for S aureus, placing family members and friends at risk for acquiring CA-MRSA infection. It is essential that nurse practitioners have an awareness of the environment as a reservoir for CA-MRSA infection. This article discusses a case study of a patient exposed to environmental CA-MRSA who failed outpatient treatment and required inpatient antimicrobial therapy. Clinical acumen and application of 2011 and 2014 infectious diseases guidelines were used to promote best practice treatment.