MRSA INFECTION CONTROL

Preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of MRSA staph infections.

A drug-resistant strain of staph infection - formally Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA (pronounced MUR-sah)- has attracted a flurry of national attention since a Virginia teenager recently died from it, and a government report estimated the condition sickens more than 90,000 Americans per year and kills nearly 19,000. It is not because the superbug is any more infectious than many other type of bacteria, but rather its growing resistance to antibiotics makes it so difficult to control.

STAPH: Staph is a common bacteria found on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. MRSA on the otherhand, is resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA originated in a hospital setting years ago, infecting the patients who were immunocompromised due to illness or surgery. At that time the bacteria developed a resistance to certain antibiotics. Now it is no longer found just in the hospital setting, but is seen in people throughout the community all across the country.

Now cases of MRSA are showing up in Schools nationwide. They are reporting outbreaks of staph skin infections (Staphylococcus aureus). Some of them are MRSA infections. Most of these infections are being spread in school gyms and locker rooms as athletes with minor cuts and abrasions share equipment, there are steps you, your family and the schools can take to reduce the risk.

THIS INFECTION IS CONTAGIOUS: To keep it from spreading to others, precautions need to be taken.

The main mode of transmission of MRSA is via hands (especially health care workers' hands) which may become contaminated by contact with a) infected patients, b) infected body sites of the personnel themselves, or c) devices, items, or environmental contaminated surfaces. Transmission is prevented by ongoing, strict attention to hygiene. In these circumstances, hygiene=hand washing and appropriate use of barrier protection such as gloves.  

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GLOVES - EFFECTIVE INFECTION CONTROL: In an effort to reduce exposure to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other bloodborne pathogens, and bacteria such as MRSA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established a mandate related to protective attire. Specifically for gloves, it stated that "Gloves shall be worn when the employee has the potential for hands to have direct skin contact with blood, other potentially infectious material, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, and when handling items or surfaces soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Disposable (single use) gloves, such as examination gloves, shall be replaced as soon as possible when visibly soiled, torn, punctured or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised." [Federal register:Part II,CFR Part 1910].

The protection offered by disposable Medical exam gloves, referred to as its barrier effectiveness, is the ability of the Medical exam gloves to withstand viral penetration. Medical exam gloves that pass Viral Penetration Tests (ASTM1671D) provide an effective barrier against viral and bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). CAREFUL hand-washing along with universal precautions is the single most effective way to control the spread of staph infections, health experts say.

CLEAN-UP - DESTROYING THE MRSA BACTERIA: Some products that meet the criteria for destroying the MRSA bacteria:

- A bleach:water solution of 1:10 (3/4 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water) kills MRSA and is effective for bathrooms and locker rooms. The solution can be put in a spray bottle and the area sprayed with the solution and allowed to dry to kill MRSA.

(This bleach solution only remains effective for 24 hours after mixing, so should be discarded at the end of the day.)

- A bleach:water solution of 1:100 (1 Tablespoon of bleach in 1quart of water) can be used effectively to clean areas less likely to be as contaminated. (This bleach solution only remains effective for 24 hours after mixing, so should be discarded at the end of the day)

Bleach should be used in a well ventilated area. Always wear gloves when mixing the bleach solution.  

Glove Size Chart Chemical Resistance Chart
	Proper Glove Removal Video

MRSA INFECTION CONTROL

Preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of MRSA staph infections.