MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Operating rooms need better air filtration to combat infection

Link: Preventing Perioperative Transmission Of Airborne Microorganisms: Pilot Study Reinforces Use Of Portable Anteroom HEPA Filtration.

Amidst an increase in new tuberculosis cases, researchers have begun investigating the effectiveness of new operating room filtration systems designed to protect staff and patients. According to pilot study findings published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, a supplemental portable anteroom high-efficiency particulate air (PAS- HEPA) filter unit placed outside operating room suites may prevent secondary transmission of airborne microorganisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). "The rate of decline in newly reported tuberculosis cases in the U.S. has slowed," said lead study investigator Russell N. Olmsted, MPH, CIC, epidemiologist from Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. "This, coupled with the worldwide emergence of even more drug-resistant tuberculosis, reinforces the need for renewed vigilance and surveillance from healthcare professionals. In particular, study results reinforce the need for measures to optimize air particle removal."

Govt plays down airborne MRSA transmission

Link: Hospitals: Infectious Diseases: 25 Feb 2008: Written answers (TheyWorkForYou.com).

Ann Keen (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Health Services), Department of Health) | Hansard source This reply only covers methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile). The available evidence for MRSA and C. difficile is that the main route of transmission is via inadequately cleaned hands, hence the Department's focus on good hand hygiene and cleaning (especially of frequently touched areas). There is little evidence to suggest that airborne exposure is a significant transmission route. The Department continues to monitor any new evidence and is aware of some evaluations of air decontamination systems that are ongoing in national health service settings, the results of which will be reviewed when they are available.

Device kills MRSA in one hour

Link: Hospital Healthcare Europe - Device kills MRSA in one hour.

A bioscience medical device invented in Britain can eradicate the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) superbug and other bacteria and viruses on surfaces in just one hour by purifying the air, according to a new independent report. Unlike air filtration systems, the UK-patented prototype is effective even without processing all of the air in a room through the unit. It uniquely combines a number of established technologies to trigger a molecular "chain reaction" that decontaminates the environment of germs, say its British inventors Tri-Air Developments. This is achieved harmlessly, even within a hospital or other room that is occupied by people. In recent tests MRSA bacteria samples on glass and metal – concentrations similar to those that might be found in infected hospital wards – were exposed to the air purification system and destroyed in less than one hour. The results follow a report last year by the same laboratory that confirmed the unit took less than two minutes to kill airborne test bacteria Staphylococcus, which is the same genus as MRSA (UK HPA Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Porton Down, 2007). This purification process is 100 times more effective than any current method of decontamination and can maintain air purity for as long as the unit is operational, according to inventors Tri-Air Developments – co-founded by microbiologists at Promanade Ltd and technology transfer specialists Inventa Partners Ltd and the UK's Building Research Establishment.

Universal Detection Technology Analyzes the Spread of Community-Associated MRSA "Superbug"

Link: Universal Detection Technology Analyzes the Spread of Community-Associated MRSA "Superbug".

Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB: UDTT) (FRANKFURT: P08), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, issued an analysis of the recent spread of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA). UDTT has licensed technologies that could detect airborne MRSA in an indoor environment and is currently marketing products that eliminate MRSA on surfaces. The Company has received several orders for its products and is in the process of launching a larger marketing campaign.

Sioux City Journal: MRSA clarifications

Link: Sioux City Journal: MRSA clarifications.

Nick Hytrek’s article on wrestling and MRSA (“Grappling with Staph”) was informational and brought attention to the public. It reminds students as well as parents to be aware of an ever-growing problem with contact sports. The article gave good tips on how to help prevent MRSA. However, I found a few errors in stating the facts involving MRSA. As a college student currently enrolled in a microbiology class, I have been studying bacteria and its resistance to antibiotics. In the article, the author states that “it is not possible to get MRSA through the air like a cold.” Actually, MRSA can be spread through the air if a person has MRSA pneumonia and is coughing, although it is not likely.

Power Of Scent Could Help Superbug Battle

Link: Power Of Scent Could Help Superbug Battle (from This Is Lancashire).

A BUSINESSMAN has come up with a way of defeating superbugs - with the power of scent. Roy Jackson, chairman of Scent Technologies, has developed a machine which gives off a secret blend of essential oils. Tests carried out at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital have revealed that "dry air" machines significantly reduced the amount of the airborne MRSA bacteria. advertisement Mr Jackson, aged 66, who lives on Lever Park Avenue, Horwich, is now calling on health chiefs at the Royal Bolton Hospital to introduce the machine in a bid to reduce their soaring rates of superbugs. He said: "It has had amazing results and I really think it would help at the Royal Bolton.

Airborne response to superbugs

Link: Buckingham Today - Buckingham News - Firm aids fight against superbugs.

HOSPITAL superbugs could be a thing of the past thanks to a new product made by a Buckingham-based firm. Inov8 Science, sister company of Inov8 Technologies based in Tingewick Road, last week launched the AD, a new device proven to kill airborne drug-resistant bugs like MRSA, Clostridium Difficile and E Coli. Inov8 Science says the device safely mimics the bug-killing properties of fresh air by emitting chemicals called hydroxyl radicals – which are produced in the human body as part of its natural defence mechanism. In fresh air, hydroxyl radicals are produced by the scents of flowers and plants.

New Weapons In The Fight Against Superbugs

Link: New Weapons In The Fight Against Superbugs.

Today sees the launch of two powerful weapons in the fight against superbugs from Synergy Healthcare. AirCleanse™, is a new air-purifying system for healthcare services that achieves a massive 99.99% kill rate for all airborne infections . Assure™/AssurePlus™ is a new range of cleaning products specially designed to meet the stringent needs of today's healthcare environment. Importantly both AirCleanse™ and AssurePlus™ are effective against the most resistant infections Clostridium difficile and tuberculosis (TB).

Trial of purifier tackling bugs

Link: Trial of purifier tackling bugs: Express & Star.

An air purifier which could wipe out killer superbugs is to get a hospital trial. Signature Aromas of Sedgley spent three years on the Purazone device, which kills airborne particles, and it is to be trialled at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital. Boss Brian Chappell built it after seeing hospital conditions when his brother-in-law was treated for leukaemia. Independent tests showed Purazone removes 99.9 per cent of MRSA and most of C.diff.

Vaporiser sends MRSA plummeting

Link: Wigan Today Wigan news - Infection fight breakthrough.

A Wigan firm is pioneering a gadget that will blitz killer superbugs in Britain's hospitals. Scent Technologies, a tiny operation on Miry Lane, has teamed up with scientists from Manchester Metropolitan University to create a vaporiser containing a secret formula of essential oils which, when sprayed into the air, kill deadly micro-organisms. A 10-month trial of the system at the burns unit of Wythenshawe Hospital has seen spectacular results. Airborne bugs, including lethal MRSA, were reduced by 90% and infections on the ward plummeted. The device and formula have now been patented and Scent Technologies MD Roy Jackson says the operation is too big for his firm to handle and they are looking for investors and a buyer.