MRSA Prevention Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have each issued guidelines intended to prevent the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in schools and the workplace. Both guidelines emphasize the essential role played by good hygiene and housekeeping practices in preventing MRSA infections.

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as “staph,” is a type of bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. It is one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. While most of these skin infections are minor — such as pustules and boils — and can be treated without antibiotics, the staph bacterium can also cause serious infections, such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia.

MRSA represents a group of staph bacteria that have developed resistance to several antibiotics, including methicillin. Most staph infections, including MRSA, occur among health care facility patients with weakened immune systems. However, both the CDC and NIOSH noted in their guidelines that staph and MRSA infections are possibly becoming more prevalent in otherwise healthy people. MRSA is most frequently transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or contact with items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else’s infection.

Preventing MRSA Transmission

In their respective guidelines, the CDC and NIOSH identified the following as critical elements in preventing the transmission of MRSA in the workplace and schools:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered skin infections.
  • Cleaning surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or EPA-registered disinfectants.
  • Ensuring that routine housekeeping procedures are conducted.
  • Encouraging students and workers to practice good hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands, keeping cuts clean and covered, avoiding contact with other people’s wounds or bandages, and not sharing personal items, such as towels and uniforms.

Availability of MRSA Guidelines

The NIOSH guidelines on MRSA and the workplace are available online. The CDC guidelines on MRSA in schools can be accessed, also.

In addition, the EPA provides a helpful list of EPA-registered disinfectants that are deemed effective against MRSA.

Please note that only product names from primary registrants are included on the EPA list of disinfectants deemed effective against MRSA. Facility service providers should check with their supplier to ensure that the products they are using are registered with the EPA specifically for use against MRSA — especially if the product is sold under an alternative name. Users should also closely check product labels to verify that the first two sets of numbers that appear in the product’s EPA registration number (i.e., EPA Reg#12345-12) are included on the EPA “approved” list (albeit listed in conjunction with another product name).

Dan Wagner is director of the Cleaning Industry Management Standard, or CIMS, and director of facility service legislative affairs for ISSA. He can be reached by phone at 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.

EPA Launches Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative

The EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) has announced the launch of the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) and is now accepting applications for the program, which are available on the SDSI Web page.

What is the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative?

Through SDSI, the DfE program will recognize environmental leaders who voluntarily commit to the use of safer surfactants. Safer surfactants are those that break down quickly to nonpolluting compounds and help protect aquatic life in both fresh and salt water. Nonylphenol ethoxylates, commonly referred to as NPEs, are an example of a surfactant class that does not meet the definition of a safer surfactant.

DfE has identified safer alternative surfactants through partnerships with industry and environmental advocates. These alternatives are comparable in cost and readily available. CleanGredients™ is a source of safer surfactants.

Who is Eligible for Recognition?

DfE will recognize businesses engaged in the production or use of surfactants, such as formulators, as well as those involved in the purchase, use, or distribution of products containing surfactants, i.e., contract cleaners and distributors. Others, including nonprofit organizations, may qualify through actively encouraging the use of safer surfactants.

What is the Recognition?

There are two categories for recognition under SDSI: Champion and Partner. Champion is the highest level of recognition offered. At this level, the participant is invited to an awards ceremony, is listed on the EPA SDSI Web site as a Champion, and may use a special logo in their literature to help explain their participation in the program.

The Partner category provides recognition of significant accomplishment toward the use of safer surfactants. Partners will be listed on the EPA SDSI Web site and may be granted recognition as Champions in the future.How

Do I Apply for Recognition?

An application for recognition (in PDF form) is available for download. The application includes the criteria for Champion and Partner status. Applications must be submitted no later than May 30, 2008. Awards will be presented in late 2008 in Washington, D.C. If you would like more information, please contact David DiFiore.

Vegas Hotels Open for Booking

Official convention housing for ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2008 — in Las Vegas, NV, September 8-11 — is now open! All attendees are urged to book hotel rooms early through Experient, the official ISSA housing company. Booking through Experient will ensure convention rates and access to convenient tradeshow shuttle bus services. Other outside companies may contact you — such as HDMC Group and National Travel Planners — but they are not official ISSA housing companies and are not endorsed by ISSA.

Video Vitamin for Business Health

Building service contractors won’t want to miss Thinking Sales Growth — 7 Elements to Consider, an ISSA video with strategic-planning expert John Delany, founder and president of Giraffe, LLC. Delany focuses on the major megatrends now impacting the cleaning industry and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage. The video, originally a February 28 Webinar conducted on ISSA.com.

 

Welcome New ISSA Members!

Ciocca’s Executive Cleaning
FT. WAYNE, IN

Clean Tech, Inc.
WICHITA, KS

Individual ISP Members

Jim Nilges, Francis Howell School District
ST. CHARLES, MO

Raina Brouillet, Hospital for Special Care
BRISTOL, CT

Windsor Taylor, Howard University Hospital
CHEVERLY, MD

Jobie Waldt, M&T Bank Stadium/Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MD

James Eagler, My Precision Cleaning Services, Inc.
HAGERSTOWN, MD

Steven Lewis, San Antonio College
SAN ANTONIO, TX

 

Calendar

2008

MAY

6-9, ISSA/INTERCLEAN® Europe 2008. Amsterdam, RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre, Amsterdam Netherlands.

22, Clean Interactions: Managing People — When You Have to Do It All. This is a program for supervisors and managers who want the knowledge, skills and abilities to manage a contemporary work force. The new millennium manager is challenged by a work force dramatically different from the work force of the past. Chicago, IL.

 

JUNE

 9-12, CIRI’s 2008 Cleaning Science Conference & Symposium. University of Maryland, University College, Adelphi, MD.

 

SEPTEMBER

8-11, ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2008. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.

 

OCTOBER

 14-16, Four Pillars of the Sales Profession, featuring Don Buttrey. Dayton, OH.

 

NOVEMBER

4-6, ISSA/INTERCLEAN® China 2008. Venetian Macau, Macau, China.

 

 

All information in "ISSA Reports" is furnished by ISSA. ©2008. All rights reserved.




POSTED ON: 4/1/2008