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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Being Met as marked - patients' experiences of being infected with community-acquired methicillin-resistant
Eva Skyman1, Berit Lindahl2, Ingegerd Bergbom3
1Infection Control Unit, Institution of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Background:
It is known that patients who acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals suffer and feel as plague. Moreover, the patient interaction with nurses and physicians is described as frightening. Little is known about patient experiences after having acquired CA-MRSA concerning care and everyday life.
Aim:
To reveal and interpret otherwise healthy patients' lived experiences of receiving care and their everyday life after having acquired community MRSA (CA-MRSA).
Methods:
A phenomenological hermeneutic approach guided by Ricouer was conducted. Interviews with twelve patients were transcribed verbatim into a text. The text was analysed in three phases: naive understanding, structural analysis and comprehensive understanding to reveal a possible being in the world. In this study, this referred to what it means to be infected with CA-MRSA.
Results:
The findings indicate that patients who acquired MRSA experience a changed body image. They suffer from ignorant and frightened behavior from healthcare workers, social contacts, and also of being bullied by colleagues. Despite this, patients assume great responsibility for protecting others. However, knowledgeable staff alleviate suffering and bring peace of mind to the patients.
Conclusions:
Preventing patient's feelings of being a pest, an outsider living with fear, requires urgent education and understanding about resistant bacteria and how to meet an infected patient. The results describing patients, affected with MRSA, may contribute and touch the readers to better understanding of patient's changed body image and suffering and how to mitigate these feelings.
Insights
Patients with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) experience altered body image and fear due to healthcare worker and social interactions. Knowledgeable staff can significantly improve patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Patient Experience
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection significantly impacts patients' lives.
- Existing knowledge gaps regarding CA-MRSA patient experiences in care and daily life.
- Patients often feel ostracized and frightened due to their MRSA infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and interpret the lived experiences of otherwise healthy patients post-CA-MRSA acquisition.
- To understand the impact of CA-MRSA on patient care and daily life.
- To provide insights into the patient's perspective on living with MRSA.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological hermeneutic approach guided by Ricouer.
- Verbatim transcription and multi-phase analysis of twelve patient interviews.
- Exploration of the meaning of being infected with CA-MRSA.
Main Results:
- Acquired MRSA leads to a distorted body image and psychological distress.
- Patients encounter fear and ignorance from healthcare workers, social circles, and colleagues.
- Infected patients proactively take responsibility for preventing further spread.
- Knowledgeable healthcare professionals positively influence patient suffering and peace of mind.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need for education on resistant bacteria and empathetic patient care to prevent patient isolation and fear.
- Findings highlight the profound impact of MRSA on body image and suffering.
- Recommendations for mitigating negative patient experiences and improving care for MRSA-infected individuals.
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