November 10, 2008—Members of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) are concerned about the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA) infections in the workplace. As a result, ASSE professional member Aruna Vadgama, RN, MPA, CSP, CPHQ, CPE, COHN-S, SRN, CHRM recently discussed ways to prevent MRSA infection in the workplace in an ASSE Healthcare Practice Specialty newsletter HealthBeat article titled “MRSA Infection Control: Best Practices (.pdf file) .”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 126,000 hospitalizations are related to MRSA each year; and 70 percent of hospital-acquired infections are due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, with MRSA infections being one of the strongest and fastest-growing.
According to the article, MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is of concern to hospital staff because it is strongly resistant to methicillin and to other modern antibiotics, but it can be treated with several other available antibiotics. Infection can be spread through contact with pus from an infected wound, skin-to-skin contact, as well as from contact with other objects–as staph can exist on surfaces for up to six hours.
“Good hand hygiene and overall hygiene are the keys to preventing MRSA and other staph infection[s],” Vadgama said. Vadgama adds that some best practices to prevent staph infections in hospitals include: Ask medical history/screening questions; Wash hands before any task; Wash equipment; Cover pus and use gloves to treat infection; and Encourage staff members who are ill to stay home.
“MRSA can survive on surfaces, equipment and fabrics, including privacy curtains or garments worn by care providers,” said Vadgama. “To prevent the spread of staph or MRSA in the workplace, which includes healthcare environments and general industry, employers should ensure the availability of adequate facilities and supplies that encourage workers to practice good hygiene; that routine housekeeping in the workplace is followed; and that contaminated equipment and surfaces are cleaned with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants. 70 percent alcohol is very effective in decontaminating and disinfecting MRSA on surfaces. While using the community gym or if you have a gym at your workplace, each individual should disinfect equipment prior to using it to prevent acquiring infectious diseases including staph and MRSA.”
