Suffering from meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: experiences and understandings of colonisation

SummaryThe objective was to explore individuals' experiences and understandings of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation. Thirteen interviews were performed and processed using content analysis, resulting in the theme ‘Invaded, insecure and alone’. The participants experienced fears and limitations in everyday life and expressed a need to protect others from contagion. Moreover, they experienced encounters with, and information from, healthcare workers differently: some were content, whereas others were discontent. The described fears, limitations and inadequate professional–patient relationship generated unacceptable distress for MRSA-colonised persons. Thus, the healthcare sector should assume responsibility for managing MRSA, and healthcare workers must improve their professionalism and information skills, so as to better meet MRSA-colonised persons' needs.