In ambulatory care settings, a patient with MRSA should be placed where as soon as possible?

• A. In the examination room or cubicle
• B. In a shared room
• C. In the main lobby
• D. In a separate building

Answer: (A)

Preventing transmission of MRSA in ambulatory care hinges on promptly placing the patient in a private examination area and starting contact precautions. MRSA spreads mainly by direct skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated surfaces, so moving the patient out of the lobby or shared spaces reduces exposure to other patients and staff. An examination room or cubicle allows the team to implement appropriate precautions (gloves, gown) and to clean and disinfect the space effectively between encounters. A shared room or waiting area offers little to no protection against spread, and a separate building isn’t necessary or practical in most ambulatory settings. So placing the patient in an examination room or cubicle as soon as possible is the safest option.