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Fairmount Fire Protection District

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.

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Fairmount Fire Protection District

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  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. MRSA and Fire Fighters • Why Fire Fighters? • 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.

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

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

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

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