Biological Hazards: Staph and MRSA Infections

UCOP October 2008 Safety Meeting

Biological Hazards

 Periodically Discuss Various Biological Hazards   Hazards Routes of Exposure  Preventive Measures  Selected Biological Hazards  Staph and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Staph and MRSA

 Staph – Bacteria  Infections Ranging from Skin boils to Severe Blood Infections  MRSA   Type of Staph Resistant to Certain Antibiotics Two Major Types   Health Care Associated (HA-MRSA) Community Associated (CA-MRSA)

MRSA

 Health Care Associated (HA-MRSA)  Persons in Hospitals & Health Care Facilities  Recent Medical Procedures – Dialysis, Surgery, Catheters  Nursing Homes - Persons with Weaken Immune Systems  Community-Associated (CA-MRSA)  Most Common Type of Soft Tissue Infection Seen in Outpatient Setting  Focus on CA-MRSA in This Presentation

Staph and MRSA Bacteria

 Can Live on the Skin and/or Nose of Healthy Individuals without Causing Any Symptoms of Disease  Injury to Skin (Scrape or Cut)  Allow Staph or MRSA Bacteria to Enter Skin and Cause an Infection

Who Gets CA-MRSA

 Close Contact with an Infected Person   Direct Physical Contact (Not Through the Air) with an Infected Person Indirect Contact – Touching Objects Contaminated with the MRSA Bacteria  Towels, Sheets, Wound Dressings, Clothes, Razors  Workout Areas or Sports Equipment

MRSA Infections

 Usually Mild, Limited to the Surface of the Skin  Treated with Proper Hygiene and Antibiotics  If Left Untreated or Not Recognized Early  Can Be Difficult to Treat  Can Progress to Life-Threatening Blood or Bone Infections

Staph and MRSA

 Usually First Look Like Spider Bites or Red Bumps Which Become Swollen & Painful  May Fill with Pus

Incidents of CA-MRSA

 Athletic Settings    Close Personal Contact – Wrestling & Football Equipment – Workout Equipment, Gym Mats, Uniforms Personal Items –Towels, Razors, Clothes  Schools, Dormitories, Military Barracks, Correctional Facilities,

Five “C’s” – Make MRSA Easier to Spread



C

rowding  Frequent Skin-to-Skin

C

ontact 

C

ompromised Skin (Cuts, Abrasions) 

C

ontaminated Items/Surfaces  Lack of

C

leanliness

Prevent Spreading of MRSA

 Wash Hands Often or Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer   Keep Cuts & Scrapes Clean and Covered with Bandages Do Not Touch Other People’s Cuts or Bandages  Do Not Share Personal Items (Towels or Razors)  Wipe Down Gym Equipment Before and After Use