MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA in the School Setting

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus {MRSA} in the School Setting Presented by: T. Williams University of Central Florida

• I have bugs… • You have bugs… • Community has bugs… & • Schools have bugs… • Bugs, Bugs & Bugs!!!!

Objectives • After this learning experience, participants will be able to: – – – Define MRSA. Explain importance of covering wound in school setting. Demonstrate applying dressing during skills check-off. Describe three ways to prevent the spread of MRSA at school. Select any portion of learning experience and provide comments regarding that particular portion on the blog. – Demonstrate appropriate hand washing technique.

What is MRSA? • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA – Staph infection – Resistant to certain antibiotics – Can cause skin or other types of infections (CDC, 2007). • MRSA – Hospitals for some time – Recently emerged in community settings

MRSA Podcast • This is a podcast on MRSA that was done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Signs and Symptoms • Most MRSA in the community appear as a skin infection in the form of pustules or boils (CDC, 2007). • May be bump or area that may be: • • • Red Swollen Painful Warm to touch Pus or drainage Accompanied by fever

Spread of MRSA • MRSA is spread: – Direct contact with a person who is infected – Contact with personal items that have been on or touched infected skin • The CDC identifies 5 factors (5 C’s) that make the spread of MRSA easier: • • • Crowding Contact (frequent skin-to-skin) Compromised (Skin) Contaminated (items and surfaces) Cleanliness (lack of)

Spread in School • Most children spend about 7 hours in a school 5 days per week • Increased crowding and contact which places them at risk for MRSA infection • Sports – Basketball, football, wrestling, etc. ----contact – “Sports habits” (i. e. sharing towels, razors, etc. ) • Student not to participate if open, oozing wound present

MRSA in school • Not student or parent diagnosed – Diagnosis made by physician • Once confirmed verify if any special orders for care at school – Goal keep wound/infected area clean and dry – Avoid anyone else having contact with infected area – Area should be covered while at school – No need for student to be excluded

Applying Dressing • See website below for detailed description of application of dry dressing… – http: //www. ohiohealth. com/documents/orthope dics/L 11_dry_dressing_change. pdf

How to Prevent MRSA spread • Keep wound covered while in school. • Avoid close contact with wound or area around wound. • Don’t share personal items. • After contact with wound, bandages, or area around wound • Wash hands!

Communication • Key! • Open communication – Parents and students – School – Nurse and nursing supervisor – Epidemiology (if necessary)

Hand washing • Use soap and warm water • Wash vigorously for at least 20 seconds • Wash all surfaces and nails • Rinse • Dry with clean paper towel • Use paper towel to turn off faucet (Clean hands, CDC, 2008)

Confidentiality • Students’ information is confidential • Not necessary to make announcement to entire school • Teachers, faculty, administration notified on need-to-know basis

Education… • Educate Students, parents, staff, faculty and administration on MRSA, spread, and prevention • Use websites as resource for materials (get “ok” from supervisor before distribution) • Encourage hand washing, good personal hygiene practices, not sharing personal items • Encourage student to take full course of antibiotic

MRSA in schools • • Please visit website More information on MRSA Copy of this presentation on website Blog also on website – Recommended use --sharing of resources, helpful tips, etc. – Comments on presentation – CONFIDENTIALITY- BEWARE!

MRSA… • Questions and Answers… • Open discussion…

References • Clean hands save lives. (2008) Retrieved March 18, 2009 from http: //www. cdc. gov/cleanhands/ • Questions and Answers about Methicillin-Resistant Stpahylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools. (2007). Retrieved March 16, 2009, from www. . cdc. gov/Features/MRSAin. Schools/ • About MRSA. (2008). Retrieved March 16, 2009, from www. cdc. gov/mrsa/