Why is Bactroban Nasal prescribed?
Bactroban Nasal ointment is sometimes used before surgery to prevent infection caused by staph bacteria. If you get an infection and you don’t get treatment, you could develop an infection in your surgery incision or pneumonia.
How are the bacteria detected?
We will do a simple nasal swab during your pre-surgery testing to check for bacteria. The sample will be sent to a lab for testing.
When should I take Bactroban Nasal?
If your surgery is scheduled for tomorrow
- Fill your prescription for Bactroban Nasal as soon as possible.
- Use the Bactroban Nasal as directed to treat any possible infections.
If your surgery is scheduled for any day after tomorrow
- A nurse will call you tomorrow between 11 am and 2 pm ONLY if the results of the nasal swab test are positive. You DO NOT need to use Bactroban Nasal unless your swab test is positive for MRSA.
- Fill your prescription only if you get a call from the nurse about a positive test result.
- If you need to use Bactroban Nasal, the nurse will tell you when to start using it.
How should I take Bactroban?
- Apply Bactroban Nasal with a cotton swab (Q-tip) in each nostril, beginning the day before surgery.
- You will use Bactroban Nasal 3 times:
- In the morning on the day before surgery.
- Before you go to bed the night before surgery.
- In the morning before you come to the hospital for your surgery.
- You will also need to use Bactroban nasal after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will give you directions.
What if my surgery date is changed?
If your surgery date is changed, a nurse will call you with instructions on how to use Bactroban Nasal.
What is Bactroban Nasal?
Bactroban Nasal® (mupirocin calcium ointment 2%) is an antibiotic used to treat an infection called MRSA (methicillinresistant S. aureus). MRSA is caused by Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) bacteria, which are commonly found in the nose or on the skin of healthy people. Bactroban comes in ointment form and is applied in the nose.
Patient checklist
- If surgery is tomorrow, fill prescription and begin using Bactroban Nasal as directed.
- If surgery is more than a day away, wait to get your nasal swab test results before filling your prescription; a nurse will call you if the test is positive.
- If your test is positive, fill your prescription and use Bactroban Nasal beginning the day before surgery: Once in the morning, once before bed, and once in the morning before you come to the hospital for surgery.
- Put the ointment in each nostril, using a Q-tip.
- If your surgery date is changed, a nurse will call you with information about using Bactroban Nasal.
