What is MRSA aka “The Super-Bug?”

MRSA is a form of staph infection that is resistant common antibiotics, making it exceptionally difficult to treat. Staph infections including MRSA have primarily been hospital borne infections, but in the 1990s, a type of MRSA began showing up in the wider community. Today, that form of staph, is known as community-associated MRSA. MRSA causes skin and soft tissue infections and can lead to pneumonia even death.

How is MRSA spread?

Like other staph infections, MRSA is passed from person to person through direct contact with skin or through contact with contaminated items. The bacteria may live in people’s noses and on their skin, and usually don’t cause any problems. However, young children, the elderly and individuals with immune deficiencies are at particular risk.

What can be done to prevent MRSA infections?

Personal Hygiene Tips Wash hands using liquid soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet and after any hands-on contact with other persons. Alternatively, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used according to label instructions. Visibly soiled hands should be washed with soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Dry hands with disposable paper towels or air blowers. Avoid sharing
towels.
• Limit sharing of personal items (e.g., towels clothing and soap).
• Keep skin lesions (e.g., boils, insect bites, open sores or cuts) covered with a clean, dry dressing.
• Use a barrier (e.g., a towel or a layer of clothing) between the skin and shared equipment
• Shower if there has been substantial skin-on-skin contact with another person.
• Athletes with active skin and soft tissue infections should not participate in wrestling until wounds are completely healed. Consider using this rule for all contact sports.

Facility Maintenance Recommendations
Potentially contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with a disinfectant-cleaner-sanitizer such as Microban QGC, an EPA-registered product labeled effective against MRSA. Following label directions, Microban QGC is a safe, economical and effective disinfectant-cleaner-sanitizer all in one application.

• Always wear gloves when using any disinfectants.
• Hard surfaces and equipment such as floors, drinking fountains, light switches, door handles, handrails, tables and desks should be cleaned routinely.
• Athletic equipment and areas such as wrestling mats, wall padding, locker rooms, and shower facilities should also be cleaned routinely.
• If during a sporting event there is a release of bodily fluids (blood, pus or drainage) cleaning and disinfecting should be completed before the activity is allowed to continue.
• Participate in ongoing assessment and training for appropriate disinfection practices at the facility.
Facility Maintenance – Athletic Areas
• All hard surfaces that may come in contact with body fluids should be cleaned and disinfected daily with a 2-ounce-per-gallon dilution of Microban QGC, including benches, weights, workout machines, etc.
• All floors/wall padding in athletic settings should be washed daily (if room is used.)
• Locker rooms, including any shower areas should be cleaned daily, if used.
• If soap is furnished, it should be accessible from a wall dispenser.
• Ensure that athletic areas, locker rooms and restrooms all have separate cleaning mops and buckets, and that all mops (washable microfiber heads or disposable mop cloths) and buckets are cleaned regularly.
• Consider making spray bottles of disinfectant available for patrons and staff to clean frequently touched surfaces of shared equipment between uses and provide instruction (e.g., new user orientation or posters) for the safe use of disinfectant
Facility Maintenance – Laundry
• Wash shared linens (e.g., towels, sheets, blankets or uniforms) in detergent and water at 160°F for at least 25 minutes.
• Use a mechanical dryer on hot temperature cycle (i.e., avoid air drying)
• Distribute towels, uniforms, etc. only when they are completely dry.
Disinfectant Recommendations

The key to preventing the spread of MRSA is the use of an EPA-registered disinfectant, cleaner and sanitizer. Microban® QGC (US-MBQGC) is a multi-purpose, quaternary disinfectant cleaner and sanitizer proven to combat and kill bacteria including MRSA. Microban QGC also offers virucidal (HIV-1 and the AIDS virus) and fungicidal protection as well as inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. Microban QGC meets the EPA standards for hospital disinfectant. Microban QGC is so effective, it can be used in residences, commercial institutions, daycare centers, nurseries or restaurants on a daily basis. Additionally, QGC is a highly effective sanitizer for both porous and non-porous hard surfaces, including carpeting, and leaves behind a delightful lemon or mint scent.