Fairmount Fire Protection District Methacillin Resistant Staph Aureus is a Staff infection that is resistant to normal antibiotic treatments. It exists on the skin and in nasal passages and is “colonized” in 20 to 30% of all people with no symptoms

MRSA and Fire Fighters The Centers for disease control estimates that by 2015, all of us will carry some form of MRSA. It used to be solely a hospital problem but is now found in the community. MRSA can survive on some surfaces for up to 2 months.

THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM MRSA and Fire Fighters THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR FIRE FIGHTERS It is a problem in many fire stations, fire crews and at least one case of MRSA has been found in every state across the nation.

MRSA and Fire Fighters Why Fire Fighters? Why be concerned? FF’s move through the community, hospitals and patient environments more that the general public. Combined living/working environment High potential for skin irritation/lacerations Do not regard small injuries as a threat. Why be concerned? If MRSA enters the bloodstream it can cause death or damage that makes you disabled. Most MRSA treatments average cost to treat is between $15000.00 and 20000.00.

MRSA and Fire Fighters What does it look like? It starts as a pimple with red tender edges.

MRSA and Fire Fighters Progresses into an abscessed infection quickly. If it enters the bloodstream it is hard to treat. – Only two antibiotics can cure it then. Can result in Fever, Malaise, Hospitalization and lost work time.

MRSA and Fire Fighters Almost all MRSA can be treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. If antibiotics are used, a sample must be analyzed first to determine the strain and type of antibiotics to use. Open skin wounds must be covered and dry. Do not use ointments for treatment of MRSA. Regard breaks in skin as potentially serious issues.

MRSA and Fire Fighters Case study – Safety Alert , Potential MRSA Exposure , September 11, 2009. Cause appears to be one crew member asking another to put triple antibiotic cream on a lesion on his elbow. The communal living contributed to the spread

MRSA and Fire Fighters What can we do? MRSA cannot live if there is not moisture. Dry PPE, shirts and pants after use. Make new bleach solutions everyday… Needs a ten minute contact time to be 100% effective. Use alcohol cleaners with at least 70% alcohol. Cover any skin irritations or lesions with a dry bandaid. Don’t wear the same clothes consecutive days when sweating a lot.

WASH YOUR HANDS, FACE and ARMS MRSA and Fire Fighters What can we do cont. WASH YOUR HANDS, FACE and ARMS Wear Gloves and PPE & CLEAN! CLEAN ! CLEAN!

MSRA and Fire Fighters Questions? Additional information web sites: www.cdc.gov: Web MD: MRSA/Staph/Infection