Correctional Facility Employees

What you need to know to PROTECT YOURSELF AT WORK MRSA and Staph What you need to know to PROTECT YOURSELF AT WORK

WHAT IS MRSA? “MRSA” stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Some people say “MURsah”

WHAT IS MRSA? Methicillin (an antibiotic) Resistant (no longer works) Staphylococcus aureus (a common bacterium)

Is Staphylococcus aureus the same as “staph”? Staphylococcus aureus is one of many species of staph. When we talk about MRSA and staph in this presentation we will use the word “staph”.

Does staph always make people sick? No, many people live with staph bacteria in their nose and on their skin without getting sick.

When staph makes us sick, how does it happen? A staph infection can start when there is an opening in the skin-a paper cut, scrape, nick while shaving, even a bruise may allow staph bacteria to enter the body and start an infection.

What does a staph infection look like? Staph can vary considerably in appearance. It may start out looking like a pimple, boil, or rash. The infection often contains pus. It may be swollen or red.

What does a staph infection look like? Staph can vary considerably in appearance. It may start out looking like a pimple, boil, or rash. The infection often contains pus. It may be swollen or red.

What does a staph infection look like? Staph can vary considerably in appearance. It may start out looking like a pimple, boil, or rash. The infection often contains pus. It may be swollen or red.

What does a staph infection look like? More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections

What does a staph infection look like? More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections

What does a staph infection look like? More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections

How does staph spread? People spread staph by direct skin-to-skin contact.

How does staph spread? People spread staph by direct skin-to-skin contact.

How does staph spread? People spread staph by direct skin-to-skin contact.

How else does staph spread? Staph also lives on surfaces and spreads when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch something else.

How else does staph spread? Staph also lives on surfaces and spreads when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch something else.

How else does staph spread? Staph also lives on surfaces and spreads when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch something else.

How do I protect myself?

How do I protect myself? Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible to break the cycle of contamination.

How to wash your hands: 1. Wet your hands with warm water. 2. Apply a generous amount of soap. 3. Wash palms, backs of hands, wrists, fingers and under fingernails. Rub hands for 20 seconds. (20 seconds is singing Happy Birthday twice or Jail House Rock once) 4. Rinse hands. (Turn faucet on using paper towel). 5. Dry hands with a new paper towel. 6. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

What NOT to do when washing your hands Don’t latch the door open (with dirty hands) then touch it again using your just cleaned hands Don’t use uniforms-clean or used-to prop open doors Don’t share your towels 

What else will protect me from staph? Wear disposable gloves when appropriate

What else will protect me from staph? Don’t share your personal care products

What else will protect me from staph? Bathe or shower every day This will reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin. Keep your fingernails cut short Less bacteria can grow under short nails.

How do I protect myself? Wash your hands as often as possible. Yes, we said this already but there might be a test.

I think I have a staph infection… Minor staph infections (boils) may clear up without medical intervention…but

See your Doctor Immediately If you have: Swelling Pain Redness or red streaks radiating from the wound site Fever General ill feeling

See your Doctor Immediately If you find that staph infection is passing from one family member to another, or If 2 or more family members get a staph infection at the same time.

What are the signs of infection? Pus Tenderness Swelling Redness Warmth of the Skin

Your doctor may prescribe Warm compresses Incision and drainage (I&D) the doctor may cut and drain the abscess Antibiotics Or a combination of the above

To Help Relieve Pain from a Boil Apply one of these: Warm, moist washcloth Hot-water bottle Heating pad for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a day

I Have a Staph Infection Can I work? Whether or not you can continue to work depends on where the sore is and where you work.

I Have a Staph Infection If your doctor says you have a staph infection, REPORT to your supervisor.

I Have a Staph Infection If your hand, wrist, or face is infected with staph you should NOT work in Laundry

I Have a Staph Infection If your hand, wrist, or face is infected with staph you should NOT work in Food service

I Have a Staph Infection If your hand, wrist, or face is infected with staph you should NOT work in Hospital/hospice

I Have a Staph Infection If your hand, wrist, or face is infected with staph you should NOT work in Barber shop

I Have a Staph Infection You should not do any work where the sore could get wet or dirty or where the bandage might come off.

I Have a Staph Infection Or work where the sore or sore drainage could touch another person or personal items until your doctor gives you a work release. Work Status Form  Employee is released to return to Regular Work on (date) ______________    Employee is released to Transitional (Modified) Work from (date) _______________ until (date) _______________

I Have a Staph Infection If the sore is at a site other than the hand/wrist or face, you may continue to work if the sore is bandaged so that it does not leak.

I Have a Staph Infection Keep your staph infection covered with a clean, dry bandage. Change the bandage at least twice a day or when it becomes wet from drainage.

I Have a Staph Infection How To Change Your Bandage What You Need: Gloves-disposable Soap & running water Bandage/gauze Plastic trash bag

Taking Care of Wounds that are Draining or Have Not Healed How to change your bandage: Gather your supplies Plastic trash bag Plastic gloves Soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer Bandage Q-tip Wash your hands with soap and hot water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Put on clean gloves just before touching the skin around the wound. Follow the directions from the nurse or doctor for changing the bandage. Throw away used bandages in the trash bag. Throw away any dirty supplies, such as Q-tips, in the trash bag. Take off the plastic gloves and put them in the trash bag. Close the trash bag and put the bag in the common garbage. Wash hands again with soap and hot water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Put on clean gloves. Apply new dressing. While changing your bandage: Don’t touch other parts of your body. Don’t touch your surroundings-bed, sink, faucet. Don’t touch another person. When to change your bandage: As often as the doctor or nurse tell you-at least twice a day. Anytime you can see pus or drainage on the bandage.

Wash your hands before and after changing bandages. I Have a Staph Infection Wash your hands before and after changing bandages. Yes, we know you were wearing gloves, still…wash your hands before and after.

REMEMBER Hand washing is the most effective way to stop the spread of infectious disease.

Don’t take it home with you. STAPH Don’t take it home with you.

Cleaning Surfaces Contaminated with Staph Clothing Bathrooms Work Areas

Staph on Clothes* Staph can live on any kind of cloth: sheets pillowcases towels wash cloths uniforms-prisoner and guard *S.aureus and MRSA has been found to survive on cotton fabric for 3 months

Laundry Chlorine bleach is the best way to kill germs in the laundry. Use chlorine bleach in your wash when possible. 6 ounces ( ¾ ) cup bleach to a standard size washer

Time wash cycle for at least twenty minutes. Laundry Time wash cycle for at least twenty minutes. Load clothes loosely in the washer so that they can move freely during the wash cycle. The amount of motion and the length of washing time both help remove bacteria from clothing at any water temperature.

Laundry Drying clothes in a hot clothes dryer kills more bacteria than line drying.

Disinfecting Bathrooms & Work Surfaces Cleaning should be done with a bleach solution or an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant according to the manufacturer’s instructions. www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm

Cleaning is the removal of physical debris. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Cleaning is the removal of physical debris. Sanitizing is the killing of disease-causing organisms. Both are important in preventing illness.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Use an approved chemical sanitizer to kill bacteria. Household bleach with a 3% to 6% sodium hypochlorite solution is the most cost effective. Never mix bleach with cleaners containing ammonia; they combine to form harmful vapors.

Disinfect Your Bathroom Floor Make bleach solution using ¾ cup bleach and 1 gallon of water Sweep floor Mop floor with solution and let stand for 5 minutes. Rinse and air dry.

Bleach kills staph germs Disinfecting hard non-porous surfaces: plastic, porcelain, stainless steel, ceramic, chrome, laminate like Formica® counters, glass, sealed granite, linoleum, metal, vinyl and finished wood Create bleach solution using ¾ cup bleach per gallon of water. Wash, wipe or rinse items/area with water, then apply solution. Let stand 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. Sanitizing non-porous food contact surfaces: (refrigerators, freezers, plastic cutting boards, stainless cutlery, dishes, glassware, countertops, pots and pans, stainless utensils) 1. Use 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. 2. Wash, wipe or rinse items with detergent and water then apply sanitizing solution. Let stand 2 minutes. Air dry.

Protection When Inmates are Infected Staph spreads in crowded or unhygienic situations. It is not uncommon for offenders to come into the system already infected with staph.

Protection When Inmates are Infected Whether you have direct or indirect contact with an infected inmate, take the same precautions with them that we have given you for your own protection.

Protection When Inmates are Infected If an inmate has a draining sore, they should be issued clean clothing if pus or blood drains on their clothes. Bed sheets should be changed every other day or more often if pus or blood drains from the sore. If you are responsible for changing an inmates bandage…

Protection When Inmates are Infected Keep your hands clean by washing with soap and warm water or using an alcohol hand gel. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages. Avoid sharing personal items such as make-up, towels or razors.

Don’t take it home with you. STAPH Don’t take it home with you.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection When transporting inmates with active infections, wear gloves and wash your hands often. Carry hand sanitizer with you-keep it in the car and in your pocket.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection Cover the transport seat with a disposable plastic sheet. This should be done even if the inmate’s clothes cover the sore.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection Wipe down surface areas touched by inmate or transporting officer with bleach solution.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection If the sore or pus touches security devices (handcuffs, leg irons, martin chains and other reusable restraints) disinfect restraints after use.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection If the sore or pus touches security devices (handcuffs, leg irons, martin chains and other reusable restraints) disinfect restraints after use.

Transfer of an inmate with a staph infection If the sore or pus touches security devices (handcuffs, leg irons, martin chains and other reusable restraints) disinfect restraints after use.

Riot and rescue gear Wipe down riot and rescue gear with alcohol or bleach solution after each use.

More hand washing stations for inmates = more protection for staff.

Help Correctional facility officers may contact their local, regional, or state health department if they need assistance in preventing, treating, or containing staph infections. http://online.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/default.htm

This manual is available on line at Help For more detailed information on MRSA, see "Prevention, Treatment, and Containment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in County Jails."  This manual is available on line at www.mrsaTexas.org

Help Infectious Disease Control Unit 1100 W 49th Street T-801 Texas Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control Unit 1100 W 49th Street T-801 Austin, TX 78756 Phone 512.458.7676 www.mrsaTexas.org

Help Sky Newsome, CHES Infectious Disease Control Unit Texas Department of State Health Services Austin, Texas 78756 512.458.7676 sky.newsome@dshs.state.tx.us