Athletic Facilities Research and Care

The Study

Open abrasions, therapeutic whirlpools, treatment tables, locker rooms (LR), and athletic equipment are identified as potential areas of transmission in athletic training rooms (ATR) and LR facilities. To determine the prevalence of MRSA and to identify control measures in ATR and LR, the authors collected samples from nine surfaces at seven high schools over a four-month period. Initial analyses considered both suspected colonies and confirmed MRSA colonies with analyses of variance revealing significant differences of suspected colonies based on regular cleaning product and facility surface. Of the 67 positive MRSA cultures collected during this study, 60 (89.6%) were found in LR facilities. Contrary to what was hypothesized, the girls’ LR surfaces presented the highest rate of positive MRSA cultures, followed by the boys’ LR and ATR surfaces. The rate of positive MRSA cultures was also assessed by the type of flooring found in the LR facilities. Of the regular cleaning products used in the ATR at the different schools, bleachwater solutions had the highest rate of positive MRSA cultures 8.3%, followed by Whizzer 6.2%. The use of Matt Kleen, Sanizide, and Sanizide with a filter box showed no MRSA strains. The use of two different cleaning products were Lysol and Cavicide. Lysol resulted in a higher rate of positive MRSA cultures 5.6% than did Cavicide 2.1%. The highest rate of MRSA was found in both girls’ and boys’ LR's where carpet was present, followed by concrete and tile. Results indicate a need for more effective cleaning products and schedules in LRs.

 

Hostetter, K. S., Lux, M., Shelley, K., Drummond, J. L., & Laguna, P. (2011). MRSA as a health concern in athletic facilities. Journal Of Environmental Health, 74(1), 18-25.

This would be how to clean and disinfect Athletic Facilites Properly.

Cleaning & Disinfecting Athletic Facilities for MRSA

 Athletic facilities such as locker rooms should always be kept clean whether or not MRSA infections have occurred among the athlete.

•  Review cleaning procedures and schedules with the janitorial/environmental service staff.  Cleaning procedures should focus on commonly touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people's bare skin each day.
•  Cleaning with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered detergents/disinfectants will remove MRSA from surfaces.
•   Cleaners and disinfectants, including household chlorine bleach, can be irritating and exposure to these chemicals has been associated with health problems such as asthma and skin and eye irritation.
•   Take appropriate precautions described on the product's label instructions to reduce exposure. Wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and eye protection may be indicated.

Follow the instruction labels on all cleaners and disinfectants, including household chlorine bleach, to make sure they are used safely and correctly. 

• Some key questions that should be answered by reading the label include: How should the cleaner or disinfectant be applied?, Do you need to clean the surface first before using the disinfectant (e.g., precleaned surfaces)? Is it safe for the surface?
• Some cleaners and disinfectants, including household chlorine bleach, might damage some surfaces (e.g., metals, some plastics). How long do you need to leave it on the surface to be effective (i.e., contact time)?, Do you need to rinse the surface with water after using the cleaner or disinfectant?

If you are using household chlorine bleach, check the label to see if the product has specific instructions for disinfection. If no disinfection instructions exist, then use 1/4 cup of regular household bleach in 1 gallon of water for disinfection of pre-cleaned surfaces.

Environmental cleaners and disinfectants should not be put onto skin or wounds and should never be used to treat infections.

The EPA provides a list of registered products that work against MRSA on List H.

Repair or dispose of equipment and furniture with damaged surfaces that do not allow surfaces to be adequately cleaned.

Covering infections will greatly reduce the risks of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA.

CDC. (2012). Cleaning & Disinfecting Athletic Facilities for MRSA. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/environment/athleticFacilities.html

Prevent the spread to anyone by...

Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining, or have pus, covered with clean, dry bandages until healed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on proper care of the wound. Keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.

Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.

Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items, such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms, that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Use a dryer to dry clothes completely.

Maintain a clean environment. Establish cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with your skin.

Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection. There are things that can be done to protect people that carry staph/MRSA from getting an infection or spreading it to others when they are in the hospital or have surgery.

CDC. (2012). Prevent the spread of MRSA if you have it. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/prevent/personal.html

Basic Contact Precautions in Health Care Facility

1) Patient placement- Place patients in a private room, if possible. If not, place in a room with someone else who currently has MRSA as well.

2) Gloving- Wear gloves whenever touching the patient's intact skin or surfaces and articles in close proximity to the patient Don gloves upon entry into the room or cubicle.

3) Gowning- Don gown upon entry into the room or cubicle. Remove gown and observe hand hygiene before leaving the patient-care environment. After gown removal, ensure that clothing and skin do not contact potentially contaminated environmental surfaces that could result in possible transfer of microorganism to other patients or environmental surfaces.

4) Patient transport- In acute care hospitals and long-term care and other residential settings, limit transport and movement of patients outside of the room to medically-necessary purposes. When transport or movement in any healthcare setting is necessary, ensure that infected or colonized areas of the patient's body are contained and covered. Remove and dispose of contaminated PPE and perform hand hygiene prior to transporting patients on Contact Precautions. Don clean PPE to handle the patient at the transport destination.

5) Patient-care equipment and instuments/devices- Use disposable noncritical patient-care equipment or implement patient-dedicated use of such equipment. If common use of equipment for multiple patients is unavoidable, clean and disinfect such equipment before use on another patient.  In home care settings limit the amount of non-disposable patient-care equipment brought into the home of patients on Contact Precautions. Whenever possible, leave patient-care equipment in the home until discharge from home care services. If noncritical patient-care equipment cannot remain in the home; clean and disinfect items before taking them from the home using a low- to intermediate-level disinfectant. Alternatively, place contaminated reusable items in a plastic bag for transport.

6) Environmental measures- Ensure that rooms of patients on Contact Precautions are prioritized for frequent cleaning and disinfection (e.g., at least daily) with a focus on frequently-touched surfaces and equipment in the immediate vicinity of the patient.

7) Discontinuation of Contact Precautions

No recommendation can be made regarding when to discontinue Contact Precautions.

CDC. (2012). Precautions to Prevent the Spread of MRSA in Healthcare Settings. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/prevent/healthcare/precautions.html