With the height of the flu season upon us and the common cold virus, keeping germs at bay can be a vigilant task.
Another serious type of germ is the Staph germ which can also be easily spread by contact and can cause Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA), a bacterial infection that is resistant to some antibiotics.
There are many ways to help prevent getting or spreading an MRSA infection and other bacteria and viruses. Our infection control professionals have assembled some tips you can follow to help prevent the spread of germs.
Hand washing
Proper hand hygiene is the number one way people can protect themselves and others. Wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water. Rub between fingers and under fingernails. Lather your hands long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice (about 15 seconds), then rinse well and dry your hands. Always wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking, and applying personal products. Remember to use the paper towel to turn off the water faucet or your elbow so that your hands stay clean.
In hospitals, we also provide alcohol based hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers are great because they take less time to use and can be placed in areas where there is not a hand washing sink available. We consistently educate staff and patients on the importance of hand hygiene, and we also promote this to visitors.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
One reason why some bacteria have become resistant to certain antibiotics is because people have overused antibiotic drugs. It is important to take antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribes. Do not take antibiotics that have not been prescribed for you. Some people insist on antibiotics even for conditions that are caused by viruses (like a cold or flu). When your doctor tells you an antibiotic will not help, understand that (s)he is being a good "antimicrobial steward" and follow the treatment recommendations you receive.
Wound Care
Advise your family and other close contacts to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially if they change a bandage or touch an infected wound. Keep infections and wounds covered with clean, dry bandages. Disposable gloves should be worn while caring for a wound. Drainage from infected wounds can contain MRSA and can spread the bacteria to others.
Contact Precautions
If you or someone you know is ill, take care to limit contact with healthy persons to prevent the spread of illness. In the hospital, that includes using good hand hygiene practices as well as gloves and gowns when treating patients with certain communicable diseases, as well as other measures.
At home, it would involve washing your hands often, especially when touching the person who is ill and also when touching things that they have used. It might mean keeping ill children home from school, and keeping ill family members from close contact with others who are very young, very old, or are immunocompromised.
Waste Management
Put all disposable waste such as dressings and bandages, into plastic bags and tie the bags securely. They can be thrown out with the regular garbage.
Laundry
Wash linens and clothes that become soiled with hot water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes. Do not share personal items (e.g. towels, washcloth, razor, clothing or uniforms) that may have had contact an infected wound or dressing.
Cleaning your house
Periodically clean your room and personal items with commercial disinfectant. You can also use a fresh solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water.
Active Surveillance
At the Baptist Health System, our Infection Control Professionals lead the way in actively watching for good infection control practices (like hand washing), and monitor for opportunities for improvement.
Education
Infection Control Professionals in San Antonio work with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to provide speakers and education to community groups. For more information on MRSA visit the Center for Disease Control.