By Basel Altaqi, M.D. and Ava Cook, RN, BSN, ICP
Reports of MRSA staph infection in Hopkins County schools have spawned an interest in the prevalence and dangers of this community acquired bacteria. The citizens of our community have valid concerns about the affects of MRSA and what precautionary measures are being taken to help prevent further outbreak.
MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) can live on the skin or in the nose and throat, however, you will not be aware you have the bacteria unless signs and symptoms of infection are present.
This may appear as a sore, pimple, abscess, boil, or ingrown hair follicle. Additionally, MRSA skin lesions are frequently confused with spider bites.
Anyone can get MRSA. The infection may range from mild to extremely severe, and poses problems when the body’s defenses are weakened or injured through a cut, scratch or surgical incision.
MRSA can be present in the blood, urine, lungs and eyes and is contagious via skin-to-skin contact.
While the bacteria lives on objects and surfaces, it can be easily killed with proper cleaning using a disinfectant. Heavily touched items suchas light switches, doorknobs, phones and key boards must be especially attended to when disinfecting. Other means of preventing the spread of MRSA include:
• Keep wounds that are draining covered with clean, dry, bandages.
• Clean hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol- based hand gel (if hands are not visibly soiled). Always clean hands immediately after touching infected skin or any item that has come in direct contact with a draining wound.
• Maintain good general hygiene with regular bathing.
• Never share items that may become contaminated with wound drainage, such as towels, clothing, bedding, bar soap, razors, and athletic equipment that touches the skin.
• Launder clothing that has come in contact with wound drainage after each use and dry thoroughly.
• If you are not able to keep your wound covered with a clean, dry bandage at all times, do not participate in activities where you have skin-to-skin contact with other persons (such as athletic activities) until your wound is healed.
• Clean equipment and other environmental surfaces with which multiple individuals have bare skin contact with an over-the-counter detergent/disinfectant that specifies Staphylococcus aureus on the product label, and is suitable for the type of surface being cleaned.
• See your doctor if you have a sore that is not healing or draining pus.
• Always wash your hands before removing bandages and again afterward.
In October 2006, Trover Health System began pre-screening all patients admitted to the hospital to check for colonization of MRSA.
Following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, those individuals who test positive must be placed under Contact Precautions. Under these precautionary measures, healthcare workers wear disposable gowns and gloves while caring for that patient - to help prevent the spread to other patients. Trover Health System also asks all visitors to practice good hand hygiene when visiting patients by using the waterless alcohol products located on the walls outside patient rooms and in the waiting areas.
If you would like more information on MRSA, you may obtain an educational booklet from the Trover Health System Emergency Department or front desk at RMC. If you wish to speak with someone in person about MRSA, Trover emergency department personnel are available to answer your questions free of charge.
Basel Altaqi, M.D. is Chairman of Infection Control for Trover Health System Ava Cook, RN, BSN, ICP is with the Clinical Quality and Safety Department of Trover Health System.
Back
