MRSA- Super Bug

	MRSA/ Super Bug
	What is MRSA?
	MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph infection that is resistant to methicillin
		and other commonly used antibiotics in the same class, including penicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin.
	Who is at risk for community-associated MRSA?
	Outbreaks have been reported among athletes, prisoners, and military recruits; risk factors include sharing close quarters
		and personal hygiene products like razors or towels. Infections are increasingly being seen in the general
		community and have been reported in schools, gyms, and even day care centers.
	While health-care-associated MRSA infections more typically occur among the elderly, the average age of a person
		with a community-associated infection is 23, according to one study.
	What can janitors, Janitorial Contractors, Operational Managers do for a facility which they take care of?
	1: Encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently. The best way to prevent any germ causing sickness is to
		wash hands frequently.
	Make sure that your facility has ample soap in the restroom and other washing locations, such as kitchen
		and other sink locations and make sure to have clean paper towels to dry their hands.
	There is much discussion as to the benefit of using antibacterial soap. Most discussions lends to just using
		regular soap which is good enough in getting rid of most germs and viruses.
		More importantantly is to wash hands frequently!
	Restrooms must be cleaned regularly with proper cleaning procedures to prevent spreading of germs.
		(See "Restroom Cleaning Page" for proper restroom cleaning procedures.
	If your customer is very concerned with MRSA, the following procedure also needs to be followed:
		Office: All telephones/ public phones, computer boards (if used by many people), all door knobs, all door panels
			(s/s, brass, other materials), any tools, equipment that are touched by many different individuals,
			should be disinfected or sanitized daily.
		Dining room: All table tops must be cleaned with sanitizer or disinfectant cleaner (if disinfectant cleaner is
			used, must be wipe off).
			All appliance door handles must be cleaned with disinfectant cleaner and wipe off or sanitize them.
			All sinks and sink counter tops must be cleaned and sanitized daily.
		Kitchen:	All appliance and kitchen equipment should be cleaned and sanitized daily.
			All sinks and sink counter tops must be cleaned and sanitized daily.
			All utensils must be cleaned with proper procedure and sanitized after every each use.
		Shopping Malls: All public phones, shopping cart handles, all door knobs, all door panels,
			elevator door panels and buttons, escalator hand railing, all tools,
			equipment that are touched by many different individuals, should be disinfected or sanitized daily.
		Gyms, Sporting areas: All public phones, all gym equipment, all door knobs, all door panels, all sauna,
			shower rooms (should be cleaned using same procedure as restroom cleaning), all tools, all equipment,
			that are touched by many different individuals should be disinfected or sanitized daily.
		Bowling alley: All shoes that are rented or shared must be sprayed with disinfectant aerosol after each use.
		Schools: All public phones, all toys, playground equipment, all other items that many children's hands share
			during the day should be disinfected or sanitized at least once a day.
	Some gyms, and other athletic sporting areas are providing disinfectant or sanitizing wipes or disinfectant aerosol
		sprayer for clients and employees to use.
		If a sanitizer is used, this does not have to be wiped off. If a disinfectant is used, leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes,
		then wipe off with a clean towel (if aerosol disinfectant is used, this does not need to be wiped off).
		Important note: If you are using liquid or foam type sanitizer. Do not spay directly onto any electronic items,
			such as telephone, computer boards, and etc. However, if you are using an aerosol sprayer, this does not
			need to be wiped off. However if you want to wipe off, then leave it for 5 to 10 minutes then wipe off.
			When wiping off any disinfectant, always use clean towels or wipes.
			Do not keep using the dirty towel to continue wiping off other items.
	2: Your janitorial crew must be well educated about the proper procedures in cleaning restrooms,
		kitchen, dining and other areas that needs sanitizing or disinfecting. Please refer to our "Restroom Cleaning Page "
		for proper restroom cleaning procedure.
	To get more information on MRSA.
	go here: http://www.webmd.com/news/20071024/mrsa-experts-answer-your-questions