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Multidrug Resistant Organisms
MDRO Management & Nursing Protocols
Clinical overview, transmission pathways, infection prevention, and core nursing
responsibilities in surgical oncology hospital practice.
PRESENTATION FOCUS Recognition, prevention, isolation, and safer antimicrobial practice
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Bimalangsu De
Surgical Oncology Nurse
Agenda: What This Deck Covers
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 2 of 14
01
Definition & Examples
Core meaning of MDRO and
common resistant
organisms encountered in
oncology care settings.
02
Transmission & Risk
How spread occurs,
high-risk patient groups,
and vulnerability factors
during hospital care.
03
Clinical Impact
Colonization versus active
infection, clinical
symptoms, and common
MDRO syndromes.
04
Prevention & Role
Hand hygiene, PPE,
isolation, equipment
decontamination, and
stewardship.
Definition: What is an MDRO?
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 3 of 14
Core Definition
A multidrug resistant organism MDRO) is a germ, usually
bacteria, that is resistant to multiple antibiotics, making
standard treatments less effective or ineffective.
Clinical Implication: Treatment options narrow significantly,
clinical decisions become complex, and rigorous infection
control becomes critical.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus.
Acinetobacter
Major resistance in hospitalized
patients.
Examples & Clinical Burden
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 4 of 14
Additional Clinical Note: Patients in surgical oncology, ICU, and post-operative units are extraordinarily vulnerable due to compromised host
defenses and frequent device use.
Bloodstream Infection
Can escalate rapidly into severe sepsis, especially in patients
with central lines or invasive access.
Pneumonia
Critical threat in ventilated patients, post-operative care, and
immunocompromised surgical patients.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Frequently linked with urinary catheterization and prolonged
inpatient hospital stays.
Wound or SSI
Major surgical oncology concern following extensive surgical
resection and open wound care.
Transmission: How MDROs Spread
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 5 of 14
Direct Contact: Spread occurs through blood, wound drainage,
urine, stool, or sputum from infected or colonized patients.
Fomites & Surfaces: Contaminated medical equipment, bed rails,
monitors, and high-touch surfaces act as reservoirs.
Preventable Factors: Poor hand hygiene, inadequate
environmental cleaning, and improper PPE usage directly fuel
transmission.
Important Clarification: Casual touching or hugging alone does not
usually spread MDROs unless contaminated bodily fluids or
contaminated hands/surfaces are involved.
Risk Factors: Who is at Higher Risk?
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 6 of 14
Patient-Related Factors Care-Related Factors
Older age and weakened immune system.
Cancer diagnosis, diabetes, or severe chronic illness.
Open surgical wounds, pressure sores, or recent surgery.
Asymptomatic colonization progressing to infection.
Prior broad-spectrum or prolonged antibiotic exposure.
Repeated or extended hospital and ICU admissions.
Indwelling urinary catheters, ET tubes, drains, or CVADs.
Inadequately disinfected shared medical equipment.
Key Concepts: Colonized vs. Infected
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 7 of 14
Nursing Implication: Both colonized and infected patients require strict infection control precautions, but actively infected patients demand rapid
escalation, sepsis monitoring, and pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy.
Colonized Patient
Culture Positive | No Active Symptoms
The microorganism is present on or in the body, but the patient
exhibits no clinical signs or symptoms of active infection.
Infected Patient
Culture Positive | Active Clinical Symptoms
Culture is positive and the patient shows active features
(fever, purulent drainage, respiratory distress, dysuria, or
sepsis signs).
Recognition: Clinical Presentation & Principles
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 8 of 14
Core Treatment Principle
Therapy must be guided by susceptibility testing, anatomical site, and patient stability. Not every positive culture warrants broad
antibiotics—culture-guided antimicrobial stewardship prevents further resistance pressure.
Urinary Site
Dysuria, urinary urgency, fever, altered mental status, and lower
abdominal discomfort.
Respiratory Site
Purulent sputum, cough, hypoxia, fever, tachypnea, and new
pulmonary infiltrates.
Surgical Wound Site
Erythema, purulent discharge, localized warmth, delayed wound
healing, and dehiscent edges.
Bloodstream / Sepsis
Rigors, high fever, hemodynamic instability, tachycardia, and
progressive organ dysfunction.
Isolation: Hospital Precautions for MDRO
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 9 of 14
Environmental Measures: Restrict unnecessary visitor access, dedicate single-patient clinical equipment (blood pressure cuffs,
stethoscopes), and enforce daily disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
Patient Placement
Assign a private room when indicated.
Maintain clear contact precaution isolation
signage at the entry door.
Contact Precautions
Perform hand hygiene before/after room
entry. Wear clean gloves and protective
gown during all direct patient care.
Movement Control
Cover wounds/drainage during transport.
Notify receiving departments and limit
patient movement outside room.
Prevention: Core Bundle
Hand Hygiene: Before and after every patient contact and
touch of immediate surroundings.
Correct PPE Don gloves and gown upon entry per contact
precaution policy.
Device Stewardship: Daily review of central lines and
urinary catheters to prompt early removal.
Environmental Cleaning: Rigorous disinfection of shared
medical equipment and room surfaces.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Appropriate culture collection, timely de-escalation, and correct
antibiotic dosing prevent unnecessary selection pressure.
Role of the Nurse in MDRO Management
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 11 of
14
Perform hand hygiene consistently before and after care.
Enforce contact isolation precautions rigorously.
Use PPE correctly and instruct family visitors on precautions.
Continuously monitor surgical wounds, drains, CVADs, and vitals.
Decontaminate patient-dedicated medical equipment after use.
Minimize unnecessary urinary catheter and line dwell times.
Support approved hospital environmental cleaning protocols.
Communicate MDRO status clearly during clinical handover.
Reinforce chlorhexidine bathing and hygiene as per protocol.
Educate patient and family on home precautions before
discharge.
Where MDROs Cause Harm in Oncology
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 12 of 14
Why This Matters in Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology patients frequently present with open surgical wounds, abdominal drains, central venous catheters, recurrent admissions, and
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
Early recognition of sepsis, subtle wound deterioration, or respiratory distress—paired with prompt isolation and culture collection—is critical to
preventing severe outcomes.
Line Sepsis
High impact & mortality
HAP / VAP
Critical care complication
CAUTI
Indwelling device related
Surgical SSI
Post-operative concern
Discharge Teaching: Home Precautions
MDRO Management in Surgical Oncology Slide 13 of 14
Thorough Handwashing
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20
seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and
before/after wound care.
Surface Disinfection
Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch household surfaces,
doorknobs, taps, and bathroom fixtures that may be contaminated.
Seek Early Help
Instruct caregivers to notify the oncology team immediately upon new
fever, wound redness, purulent discharge, or line problems.
Thank You
"MDRO prevention starts with everyday nursing
practice."
Clean hands, correct precautions, safe device stewardship, early clinical recognition, and
smart antibiotic use protect both our patients and surgical teams.
Multidrug Resistant Organisms Presentation Slide 14 of
14
Connect on LinkedIn
Bimalangsu De
Surgical Oncology Nurse
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