Final answer:
Yes, MRSA should be considered for a patient with an abscess if there is a previous hospital stay or invasive procedures. Rapid treatment with appropriate antibiotics is crucial for preventing complications like in cases of necrotizing fasciitis or infections with biofilm formation like MRSA.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient comes in with a diagnosis of an abscess and there is a prior hospital stay, even with normal vitals, MRSA should be considered, especially if there has been recent contact with healthcare settings or use of invasive devices like catheters. MRSA could be suggested by symptoms like fever, rash, rapid infection progression, or presence of a resistant bacteria identified in prior cultures. For example, in Barbara's case, despite oxacillin therapy, her condition worsened because her infection was caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which likely formed a biofilm on her catheter surface, contributing to drug resistance and failure of therapeutic treatment. Immediate treatment with MRSA-targeted antibiotics without waiting for culture results may be necessary in severe or rapidly progressing infections to prevent complications, as seen in Mark's case where the infection led to necrotizing fasciitis. This proactive approach follows the adage 'time is tissue,' where quick action can be crucial.