Local woman treated for MRSA

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SEARCY — Joni Morris, a 28-year-old from Judsonia, had been a White County Medical Center patient only once: When she gave birth to her daughter. So when MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) caused Joni to have a two-week stay at White County involving two surgeries, she was stunned.

MRSA is a variation of the common staph infection: This strain does not respond to antibiotics that treat traditional staph. MRSA is normally thought of as a threat to people with open wounds or weak immune systems. However, in the United States, an increasing number of healthy people - like Morris - are experiencing outbreaks of MRSA. In some cases, MRSA can become life-threatening.

"People can acquire MRSAby touching any objects such as door handles, floors, sinks or towels that have come in contact with an infected person," said Mary Lou Adams, a registered nurse and Infection Control Practitioner at WCMC. "Normal skin tissue usually prevents MRSA infection; however, if people have cuts or other skin flaws, MRSA may develop. And many otherwise healthy individuals may not notice small skin imperfections or scrapes."

In Morris' case, she was originally thought to have a spider bite. When her family learned she had MRSA, Morris's father initially wanted to take her to a Little Rock hospital.

"I wanted to stay here so my parents could visit me every day. They would not have been able to go to Little Rock as often," Morris said. "However, after talking to the nurses, my dad was convinced that White County was a good place for me. The nurses knew so much. They stayed and talked to my dad and answered all of his questions. They were always willing to stay with him as long as he needed."

Throughout her stay, Morris and her family were impressedwith every White County associate they encountered.

"When I learned that I would need the second surgery, I started bawling. One nurse stayed with me. She hugged me and told me it would be OK. She asked the chaplain to come pray with me. He did, and it meant a lot to me," Morris said. "Another nurse brought me a Dr Pepper every time she came in my room because she knew that's what I wanted. Also, on Thanksgiving my RN straightened my room before my family came. I was so impressed that she would do that."

Now that Morris is at home, she comes to White County every day for physical therapy.

"The physical therapists have been wonderful. They've tried to keep me smiling. We joke and laugh," she said. "This could be difficult, but they are warm and caring. There is never a dull moment with them."

People can take steps to reduce the risk of obtaining MRSA.

"Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with a Band-Aid.Do not share personal items like towels, razors or unwashed clothes," Adams said.

A skin infection combined with fever, chills, low blood pressure, joint pains, severe headaches and shortness of breath are symptoms that need immediate medical attention.

"Having MRSA was a bad experience, but everyone at White County has made my hospital experiences as good as possible," she said.

Morris' family also lives in Judsonia. Her dad and stepmother are John and Jo Morris, and her mother is Barbara Morris. Her children are Shane Morris, age 9, and Amanda Ricks, age 7.

Three Rivers, Pages 46 on 01/03/2008