Stones River Hospital Hosts Luncheon to Discuss Community Acquired MRSA
Feb 20, 2008
On Friday, February 15th, professionals from several local agencies attended an educational luncheon at Stones River Hospital to discuss Community Acquired MRSA. The event was planned by Daisy Gannon, Pharmacist and Infection Control Coordinator for the hospital. Those who attended included staff from the Woodbury Nursing Center, Cannon County Jail, Cannon County Health Department, and the Mid-Cumberland Head Start Program.
The speaker was Michelle Zachary of the Upper-Cumberland Regional Department of Health. She shared that MRSA is a type of skin infection that is resistant to certain types of antibiotics. Research indicates 85% of all serious cases of the infection are associated with health care settings, while the remaining 15% of reported infections are considered community-acquired. MRSA infections are generally spread by skin-to-skin contact or by direct contact with the drainage of an infected wound. It may appear as pus-filled bumps, boils, or “spider bites” which often are red, swollen, painful or have drainage.
Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated with or without antibiotics and by draining any pus. More serious infections are very rare in healthy people. You should report any suspicious skin infection to your doctor.
There following are steps one can take to prevent MRSA:
• Practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly with warm water and soap or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover abrasions or cuts with a clean bandage. Avoid sharing personal items like towels, razors, soap or make-up.
• Shower immediately after exercise.
• Maintain a clean environment by cleaning with detergent-based cleaners or standard disinfectants any surfaces and equipment that may come into direct contact with the skin.
• People with active infections should be excluded from activities with skin-to-skin contact until healed.
There are also some common misconceptions that were discussed. Michelle stated that, unless directed by a physician, people with MRSA should not be excluded from school or work. Exclusion should be reserved for those with wound drainage that cannot be contained with a clean, dry bandage. She also said that it is not necessary to close buildings because of a MRSA infection. Nor is it necessary to inform all work or school colleagues about a MRSA infection.
For more information on MRSA, you can call Daisy Gannon of Stones River Hospital at 615 563-4001, visit the Tennessee Department of Health web site at www.health.state.tn.us/ or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at www.cdc.gov.
Additional Information Please Contact:
Michelle Fowler, Business Development Director
Stones River Hospital & Dekalb Community Hospital
| Phone: 615-563-7298
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