The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) have both issued guidelines intended to prevent the spread of MRSA in schools and the workplace respectively. Both the CDC and NIOSH guidelines emphasize good hygiene and housekeeping practices as essential 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. Staph bacteria are 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, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections, such as bloodstream infections and pneumonia.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a group of staphylococcus 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, CDC and NIOSH noted in their respective guidelines that staphylococcus and MRSA infections can also occur 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.

Prevention of the Transimission of MRSA
In their respective guidelines, both the CDC and NIOSH noted the following as critical elements in preventing the transmission of MRSA in the workplace and in schools:
• Cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered skin infections.
• Cleaning surfaces with detergent based cleaners or EPA registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment.
• Ensure that routine housekeeping procedures are conducted.
• Encourage students and workers to practice good hygiene that includes 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
To access the NIOSH Guidelines on MRSA and the Workplace, click here.

To access the CDC Guidelines on the subject of MRSA in schools, click here.

In addition, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of EPA-registered disinfectants that are effective against MRSA. To access this list, click here.

Please note that in regard to the EPA list of MRSA effective products, only primary product names from the primary registrants are included.