Download CA-MRSA Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant

Working in a CMS?
Know the Facts About
Community Associated MRSA
(CA-MRSA)
Facts, not Fiction
Correct information is essential because
knowledge eliminates speculation.
CA-MRSA – What Is It?


Community Associated- Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus is caused by Staph
bacteria
Staph bacteria are commonly found in the nose
and on the skin

Staph is normally harmless but can cause
infections on the skin and in other parts of body

CA-MRSA is a type of Staph infection that is
resistant to some antibiotics like Penicillin
How Do You Get CA-MRSA?





Sometimes when bacteria enters the skin
through a cut or scrape
Sometimes by close skin to skin contact
with an infected person’s wound
Sometimes by sharing sports equipment
or personal items such as towels or
razors
By not cleaning a cut or scrape properly
Overuse of antibiotics or not finishing
prescribed antibiotics
What Does
CA-MRSA Look Like?



Usually a skin
infection that looks
like pustules or boils.
Can also look like a
pimple or “spider
bite.”
Usually red, painful,
and swollen and
sometime contains
pus.
Usually occurs at the
site of a cut, scrape
or “break in the skin”.
CA-MRSA Skin Infection
How Is It Treated?
Healthcare providers :




Culture to find out if it is CA-MRSA
Drain and clean the infection and/or
Give antibiotics (in certain cases
antibiotics may not be used)
Cover the wound with a secure
bandage on all four sides if it is
draining
Proper Wound Care
If you have an infection
you should:

CLEAN the wound daily with
soap and water

COVER with a dry, secure
bandage after cleaning

FINISH all prescribed antibiotics

AVOID sharing personal items at
school or at home
Exclude from School or Sports?



Unless directed by a physician,
students and staff with CA-MRSA
should not be excluded from
attending school or work.
It is not required, but is our
practice, to inform the school
community about confirmed
CA-MRSA.
If an athlete has an infection with
drainage they should be excluded
from participation until the wound is
dry with no further drainage.
Community Acquired Methycillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureas (CA-MRSA)
Response Protocol
Department Supervisor
Coordinates Building Response
Ensures confidentiality
Contact
Facilities Call Center
(ext. 7062, 7063, 6852)
Sends appropriate personnel to
assist with disinfection of area
Contact
CMS School Health
Pre-K-12 Support Svcs.
Contact
Communications
Provides information, guidance
Resources staff, parents, students,
Interfaces with MCHD
Provides letters, connect ed messages
Completes board report; if needed
Coordinates media requests
(ext. 5986 or 6269)
(ext. 6243)
Community Acquired Methycillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureas (CA-MRSA)
Response Protocol
Athletic Director
Notifies Principal, Director of
Athletics
After school hours/weekend,
notify call center
Principal
Consults with School Nurse
Coordinates School Response;
Completes incident report;
Ensures confidentiality
Contact
Facilities Call Center
(ext. 7062, 7063, 6852)
Sends appropriate personnel to
assist with disinfection of area
Advises principal
Monitors, manages cases;
Provides Staff Education
Contact
Area Superintendent
Disseminates key information to
appropriate
Central Office staff
Contact
CMS School Health
Contact
Communications
Provides information, guidance
Resources staff, parents, students,
Interfaces with MCHD
Provides letters, connect ed messages
Completes board report; if needed
Coordinates media requests
(ext. 5986 or 6269)
(ext. 6243)
Prevention





Wash hands often with
warm soap and water

Shower after physical
activity
Clean all cuts and
scrapes well with soap
and water

Wash athletic clothing
after use

Cover wounds with dry
bandage until healed
Report suspicious skin
sores to a parent, school
nurse and/or doctor
Do not share personal
items such as towels,
clothing, or razors


Clean and disinfect shared
athletic equipment after
use
Athletes must securely
cover with a bandage any
skin lesion before potential
physical contact
Athletic and Physical
education departments
show CA-MRSA video to
ALL ATHLETES
Practical Advice for
Teachers/Athletic Staff



Refer any student with a pustular skin rash
or any open draining wounds to the school
nurse.
Enforce good hand washing with soap and
water. This is the single best measure to help
prevent the spread of any communicable
disease.
Coaches should ensure athletes wash their
hands, cover any wounds, and not share any
personal items and towels.
Guidelines

Maintain confidentiality by not discussing
health issues of students or staff with other
students or staff


No form of quarantine is necessary
Routine but thorough environmental cleaning is
sufficient in most cases. (CMS uses EPA registered
products). Weight rooms and equipment should be
cleaned more frequently.
More Information


Your School Nurse
Mecklenburg County Health Department
web site www.meckhealth.org
CMS website www.cms.k12.nc.us
CDC website www.cdc.gov
This presentation is a collaborative effort between the Mecklenburg County
Health Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools