FCPS adopts disease protocol

CA-MRSA (Community Associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureas) is a staph infection that historically was confined to hospitals. While other staph infecitons existed in the broader community, CA-MRSA was a staph that, like all staph, existed on the skin or in the nose but was always confined to medical procedures and treated within the hospital confines. In recent years, this MRSA staph began to appear in different forms beyond hospitals and continues to be a dangerous bacterial infection. The CA-MRSA can be treated with certain antibiotics when identified and treatment begins, but it is also possible that treatment may need to occur in the hospital if the existing antibiotics are not effective enough. Schools around the nation, as well as people in other walks of life, have recently been in the news, identifying the CA-MRSA bacterial staph infection as being present. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Nebraska Health and Human Services, as well as other states' agencies have developed protocols to deal with this issue on both the individual and home/institution/community levels.

Falls City Public Schools has been working with these protocols this fall and will continue to work on those precautions as a standard procedure on a regular basis, but also regarding anyone diagnosed with CA/MRSA. At school, proper hand washing materials are in each classroom and are required before lunch; cleaning materials will be used in buses and classrooms as well; locker rooms will be periodically treated and coaches will be watching for any signs of infections and open wounds; and required referrals to medical professionals will be made if there appears to be concern. It is important to understand that the standard protocol procedures are those that should be followed by everyone every day–the most basic being correct hand washing, wound management (including professional medical care and direction), the avoidance of sharing personal items, and the routine washing of clothing and soft goods and spraying/cleaning of hard surfaces. There are products on the market that address such purposes for hard surface cleaning, but the best may be a bleach/water mixture. Our most basic protocol is to follow the direction and advice of the medical professionals and use any/all cleaning agents properly and safely.

Continuing to work, attending school, and being involved in the community are normal expectations when proper treatment is being applied. This should never be a panic situation; and it should be remembered that anyone can contract this or any other bacterial infection, or viral infection for that matter. It is important that individuals and families are personally responsible, do the best they can to maintain a safe and healthy environment, and make the best effort to take care of any infectious disease problem. That means taking suspicious wounds, especially if they aren't healing, to the medical professionals for evaluation and possible culture and following their directions, including notifying school officials. In any case, being watchful and protective is the best protocol for any wound that looks like infection is setting in. Please don't take the chance when we know that CA-MRSA and other infectious diseases are a part of the environment. This isn't just a CA-MSRA message, but a daily protocol regarding all infectious disease issues.

Some frequently asked questions are the following:

What is MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") is a common type of bacteria (germ) that is often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. It can also grow in wounds or other sites in the body, sometimes causing an infection. For example, staph is one of the most common causes of skin infections. Penicillin is a drug that was once commonly used to treat staph infections. However, over time many staph bacteria have become difficult to treat with penicillin and antibiotics related to penicillin. These new or resisant forms of Staphylococcus aureus are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The illnesses they cause are the same as thosed caused by other staph; the difference is in how they are treated.

Who is at risk for getting these organisms?

Just like normal staph bacteria, MRSA normally does not cause disease unless it enters an opening in the skin. However, some people are at higher risk for carrying MRSA or becoming infected with this type of staph. MRSA more often occurs in people in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It can also occur outside the hospital in people who receive multiple antibiotics, as well as in people who have close contact with a person carrying the germ or by touching objects contaminated with MRSA (e.g., clothes, towels, bedding, athletic equipment, benches in saunas or hot tubs, bandages).

How are MRSA and other staph spread?

Staph bacteria (including MRSA) are most often spread by close contact with infected people or the things they touch. It is not spread through the air.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without symptoms. Symptoms of a MRSA or other staph infection depend on where the infection is located. Infections of the skin are the most common and cause symptoms such as redness, warmth, pus, and a wound that does not heal. Your doctor may refer to these infections as boils, furuncles, impetigo, or abscesses. Infections can also develop in the blood, bone, bladder, lungs, and other sites. Symptoms there will depend on the site of the infection, but include fever and pain at the site.

What should I do if I think I have a MRSA or other staph infection?

See your healthcare provider.

Are MRSA and other staph infections treatable?

Yes. Some staph skin infections can be treated simply by draining the sore and keeping the wound clean. For more serious infections, antibiotics can be used to treat those infections. In antibiotics are prescribed by your healthcare provider, it is very important to finish taking all the pills and call your doctor if the infection does not get better.

What can I do to prevent MRSA and other staph infections?

• Wash your hands often, especially when you're exposed to someone with an infection or when you touch objects that may be contaminated.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment, razors, etc.
• If a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain, or isn't healing, see a doctor.
• Don't insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.
• If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills–even if you feel better before they are all gone.

For more information, access the following websites:

www.hhs.gov/faq/diseases/index.html

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html