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

EPA Registered Disinfectant Kills Both Known Types Of MRSA

Link: EPA Registered Disinfectant Kills Both Known Types Of MRSA.

While MRSA has been an issue in healthcare settings for years, CA-MRSA outbreaks in the community have been on the rise, with the greatest risk in community settings such as fitness clubs, in sports teams, at schools and daycare centers. In May, The Clorox Company will launch Clorox® Pro Quaternary All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner, a disinfectant that is EPA registered to kill germs, including Healthcare-associated and Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA). Clorox® Pro Quaternary All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner is a one-step, labor-saving solution for killing both strains of MRSA as well as a variety of other illness causing germs, such as Hepatitis B and C, Avian Influenza A, HIV-1 and HIV-2, SARS-associated Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Salmonella enterica and E. coli. This hospital grade disinfectant is also a powerful cleaner with a no-rinse pH-neutral, bleach free formula.

How will we know if the deep clean worked?

Link: Mrsa: 14 May 2008: Written answers (TheyWorkForYou.com).

Andrew Lansley (Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Health; South Cambridgeshire, Conservative) | Hansard source To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate his Department has made of the percentage changes in incidence of (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile as a result of the deep cleaning programme; and over what timescale his Department expects such changes to be reflected in hospital infection statistics; (2) by what means his Department will assess the effectiveness of its deep cleaning programme for hospitals in England in reducing cases of healthcare associated infections. Click on the platypus! Free Our Bills! Photo of Ann KeenAnn Keen (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Health Services), Department of Health; Brentford & Isleworth, Labour) | Hansard source As set out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his written ministerial statement on 17 January 2008, Official Report, columns 38-39WS, following completion of the deep clean of the national health service on 31 March 2008, the Department will work with strategic health authorities (SHAs) to draw up examples of where a deep clean has had a demonstrable effect in improving patient care and experience and will share these across the NHS. SHAs will take the lead on evaluation locally as the impact of each trust's programme will be different and no single measurement method will pick up all the benefits, particularly as trusts may be implementing a range of measures to improve cleanliness and tackle healthcare associated infections. Improvements to patient experience and environment may be measurable through: Patient Environment Action Team scores; scores on national specifications for cleanliness; compliance with the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections; compliance with the Department is national core standards; Healthcare Commission inpatient survey scores; and infection rates. Deep cleaning is just part of a comprehensive range of measures to improve cleanliness and tackle infections set out in the Strategy "Clean, Safe Care: Reducing Infections and Saving Lives". Copies of the Strategy are available in the Library.

UV Light Invention Could be MRSA breakthough

Link: Shining light on dirty subject Invention could solve resistant disease dilemma; MRSA to dust mites tremble - Fosters.

Tucked away for the last few years in his backyard workshop off Brackett Road, Neister has developed the technology to kill Noroviruses, C. diff, MRSA and other problem viruses and bacteria using a section of the ultraviolet light, or UV, spectrum to bombard them with killing high-energy photons. With the help of his brother John, he is ready to begin producing mobile disinfection units that will be marketed under the Sterilray name. Several of the units have been sold and are being tested in this country and abroad. The Neisters say their own research shows Sterilray is astoundingly effective, up to 10,000 times more deadly than chemical cleaners. But they are waiting for results from government and private industry now trying out the new units, and for word to spread that Sterilray performs as advertised. Then the market for their hand-held disinfection wands could be worldwide — and huge.

Infections Control And Contamination Of Daily Use Objects

Link: Infections Control And Contamination Of Daily Use Objects.

Fortunately, among many billions of bacteria, only 1,500 can be dangerous for our health, causing different diseases such as pneumonia or skin infections. "The real problem is that the number of bacterial strains which develop resistances towards disinfectants and especially antibiotics is increasing very fast", pointed out Prof. Voss. "Some of these resistant microorganisms are difficult to destroy, and can survive for a longer time on the floor and other surfaces". "This is the reason why just five years ago it was absolutely rare to find resistant bacteria outside hospitals or nursing homes, while resistant bacterial strains are now spreading also to our houses and other places where people live, work or spend their free time together". "It seems like there are no safe objects" stated Prof. Voss. "Tables, utensils, computers, door knobs, gym equipments and other objects were shown be contaminated with potentially dangerous pathogens. Bacterial presence has been revealed also on mobile phones, and even on the mouse and keyboard of personal computers. All these items and surfaces can be a potential source for cross infections, transmitting microorganisms". "While this is in general not a problem within the community, we should be aware of it within the healthcare setting. Therefore, we should promote regular decontamination of daily use objects as part of an effective strategy to prevent the spread of multi-resistant pathogens and the occurrence of consequent infections", concluded Prof. Voss.

In The Battle Against Hospital Infections 'Crime Scene Investigation' Methods Could Help

Link: In The Battle Against Hospital Infections 'Crime Scene Investigation' Methods Could Help.

nspired by the popular television drama CSI, investigators in the Netherlands have trialed methods used by forensic scientists at crime scenes to highlight infection risks in their hospital. Researchers at Deventer Hospital used Luminol, a chemical used by crime scene investigators, to detect traces of blood in their haemodialysis unit. Luminol reacts with microscopic amounts of blood to produce bright blue luminescence, which allows investigators to track invisible blood splashes in the environment. The results of this experiment are reported in a new study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jhin). Bergervoet et al tested their apparently clean unit with Luminol. They found traces of blood on many surfaces including cupboard handles, telephones, computer keyboards, side tables and the floor, even though some of these surfaces had been cleaned. They expect that these results can be reproduced in other hospitals that plan to use Luminol in the future as described in their paper.

AmRestore Battles Community Acquired Staph (MRSA) Infections on Three Fronts with Specialized Cleaning Process

Link: AmRestore Battles Community Acquired Staph (MRSA) Infections on Three Fronts with Specialized Cleaning Process.

AmRestore, a specialty cleaning and restoration company serving the Mid-Atlantic region, is poised to help prevent and stop outbreaks of Staph and other community acquired infections with a unique three step process. Bacteria levels before and after AmRestore cleaning Bacteria levels before and after AmRestore cleaning We pride ourselves on preserving health, home and harmony through equipment cleaning and specialized restorative decontamination cleaning services. If we can keep it clean, we can keep it safe. I want to help protect the community just as I would protect my own family. Infections from MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus have recently sickened or claimed the lives of numerous people nationwide. With new cleaning technology, staph (MRSA) infection on surfaces and in equipment and gear can easily be prevented with routine professional cleaning and disinfecting. Utilizing a three step process of deep material disinfection, surface cleaning with properly engineered disinfectants and the deployment of a unique high performance air and surface decontaminator, these outbreaks can easily be prevented or stopped in their tracks. Destroy the habitat deep in materials this bacterium thrives in before the colonies have a chance to multiply and spread, infecting other items and people. Independent laboratory testing has demonstrated that the patented Esporta™ Wash process kills 99.9997% of the harmful bacteria in loose hard and soft goods (such as sports padding, metallic items, medical equipment and toys) combined with secondary state-of-the-art technology to eradicate hidden organic contaminants, these outbreaks can be significantly reduced or totally prevented. Will Lamb, Founder and President of AmRestore, Inc., encourages parents, coaches, business owners, schools and public officials to be proactive and protect the community. "The spread of these infectious organisms in schools, athletic facilities, state and federal institutions, medical facilities, daycares, fitness clubs and other businesses can easily be reduced or prevented with our unique three step process" states Lamb, a father of two and IICRC certified Master Restorer . "We pride ourselves on preserving health, home and harmony through equipment cleaning and specialized restorative decontamination cleaning services. If we can keep it clean, we can keep it safe. I want to help protect the community just as I would protect my own family."

Mops spreading germs not killing them

Link: Gerba: Sometimes It's Better Not To Clean.

According to Dr. Charles Gerba, famed microbiologist with the University of Arizona, in some cases "it may be better not to clean a surface than to clean it with soiled cleaning tools… [because] it can spread microorganisms around without your realizing it." Gerba says that as some cleaning tools, such as sponges, mops, and microfiber cloths, are used, "they actually become micropile compost heaps. In many cases, [the cleaning worker] is just laying down a thin layer of E. coli over the surface as they clean."

Favoured detergent failing against MRSA?

Link: Frequency of biocide resistance genes, antibiotic resistance and the effect of chlorhexidine exposure on clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates -- Vali et al. 61 (3): 524 -- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Conclusions: In our study, isolates resembling PFGE type EMRSA-16 harboured more biocide resistance genes than other types. The observed reduction in susceptibility of clinical isolates to chlorhexidine may mean that a selective pressure is being exerted by residues in the clinical environment, and highlights the importance of efficacy testing on clinical strains and good infection control practices. The development of reduced microbial susceptibility to biocides represents a serious cause for concern in the clinical environment.

Barrier Technology Provides New Weapon in MRSA War

Link: Barrier Technology Provides New Weapon in MRSA War: Surface Care Products Prevent Growth and Transfer of Bacteria.

Independent laboratory tests of the effects of these products on MRSA were recently completed by the University of Arizona, under the auspices of internationally renowned microbiologist, Dr. Charles Gerba. These tests confirmed that the use of Clean & Shield or Sani-Shield instantly killed more than 99.9% of MRSA, as well as e-coli, salmonella, noroviruses and the AD14 common cold virus, on surfaces and that the antimicrobial barrier continued to kill the bacteria within hours of being re-deposited. Most cleaners provide a one-time "kill" or one-time "clean" without any ongoing protection against recontamination. Clean & Shield and Sani-Shield's unique patented formulas, however, make them the first and only surface care products proven to protect surfaces with an invisible antimicrobial barrier on which bacteria, mold and mildew will not grow. Unelko Corporation's President, Steven Ohlhausen, says, "Since you really can't prevent soiling and germ deposits, shielding surfaces for easier next-time cleaning and protecting them against the cross-contamination of surface-contact germs is the best way to protect your family at home, at work or in public facilities."

Laminate film to fight infection on hospital menus

Link: Laminate film bar to illness - Yorkshire Post.

DECORATIVE print finishing company Celloglas has launched a new product aimed at reducing the spread of illnesses such as the hospital superbug MRSA. The Leeds-based firm has produced a film called Cellomed that claims to provide an added level of protection when laminated on surfaces such as greetings cards, menus or a hospital food tray liner. It says the film continuously provides an added level of protection against infections, offering a level of cover that has never been possible before. The company claims clinical tests show that Cellomed prevents the spread and growth of a diverse range of infections, including the bacteria MRSA and E.Coli, on the surface of a film. Possible uses for the Cellomed film include lamination of menus, greeting cards and medical records as well as packaging, and many other items that may come into contact with people. Steve Middleton, sales and marketing director at Celloglas, said: "We are very proud to be able to offer this product as this is by far one of the most exciting developments in the last 10 years.