Correctional Facility Employees
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 skinto-skin
contact.
How does staph spread?
People
spread staph
by direct skinto-skin
contact.
How does staph spread?
People
spread staph
by direct skinto-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.
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.
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
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
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
1. Make bleach solution
– using ¾ cup bleach and 1
gallon of water
2. Sweep floor
3. Mop floor with solution and let
stand for 5 minutes.
4. 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
1.
2.
3.
4.
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)
Use 1 tablespoon of bleach
per gallon of water.
2. Wash, wipe or rinse items
with detergent and water
then apply sanitizing
solution.
3. Let stand 2 minutes.
4. Air dry.
1.
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.
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
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
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