The infection outbreak of multi-resistant organisms such as MRSA and VRE are common in hospitals where long-term chronically ill patients are treated.

Five patients in the high dependency ward are being treated for the infections as well as another patient who has been isolated in intensive care.

Other measures the hospital has put into place is putting four patients in the same room in Kenna Ward to help prevent the organisms spreading.

Director of nursing Sue Patterson told the Central Western Daily yesterday the multi-resistant strains are being treated with specialist antibiotics.

“We have also put in place a system of barrier nursing where protecting clothing is worn to prevent the spread of infection,” she said.

“We are also undertaking additional cleaning.”

Disposable equipment is also being used where possible to prevent the spread of MRSA and VRE.

Ms Patterson said the protective measures put in place at Orange Base Hospital are commonly instigated in hospitals to minimise the risk of the spread of the multi-resistant organisms to other patients.

MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus auereaus) and VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus) are most commonly transmitted via the hands of health care workers and can also occur through contaminated equipment or the environment.

These resistant bacteria can colonise or infect any body site and can live for long periods of times such as days, weeks, or months on surfaces that have not be cleaned after use with a disinfectant or improperly cleaned.