Thursday, September 9, 2010
1158/p11264308_303.png

Comstock Parents, Students, and Community Members,

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been talked about a lot recently on television, the web and print media. I wanted to let you all know that as a custodial and facilities department we are taking steps to help keep our students and staff safe. During the third week of October we had an inservice for all of the custodians to train them on proper cleaning techniques to prevent the spread of MRSA and other communicable diseases. This was a refresher in-service of previous demonstrations of proper cleaning techniques. The main cleaning product that the district uses is called Re-Juv-Nal. It is a hospital grade germicidal disinfectant and deoderant. It has been tested and found effective as a staphylococcus germicide. It is also effective against the following pathogens:

"Effective against the following pathogens: (Bacteria:) Pseudomonas aeruginosa1, Staphylococcus aureus1, Salmonella choleraesuis, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydia psittaci, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecalis-Vancomycin Resistant (VRE), Escherichia coli1, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Klebsiella pneumoniae1, Legionella pneumophila, Listeria monocytogenes, Pasteurella multocida, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus-Methicillin resistant-(MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus-Vancomycin Intermediate Resistant-(VISA), Staphylococcus epidermidis2, Streptococcus faecalis1, Streptococcus pyogenes, (Viruses:) *Adenovirus type 4, *Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), *Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), *Herpes Simplex Type 1, *Herpes Simplex Type 2, *Human coronavirus, *HIV-1 (AIDS virus), *Influenza A/Hong Kong, *Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), *Rubella (German Measles), *Vaccinia, SARS Associated Coronavirus (cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), (Animal Viruses:) *Avian polyomavirus, *Canine distemper, *Feline leukemia, *Feline picornavirus, *Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, *Infectious bronchitis (Avian IBV), *Pseudorabies (PRV), *Rabies, *Transmissible Gastroenteritis virus (TGE), (Fungi:) Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes. (Athlete's Foot Fungus) (a cause of Ringworm).

Recommended for use in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, commercial and industrial institutions, office buildings, veterinary clinics, animal life science laboratories, zoos, federally inspected meat and poultry establishments, tack shops, pet shops, airports, kennels, hotels, motels, breeding establishments, grooming establishments, and households. Disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the following hard, nonporous inanimate surfaces: floors, walls, (non-medical) metal surfaces, (non-medical) stainless steel surfaces, glazed porcelain, plastic surfaces (such as polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.). Recommended for use in tanning salons. Use to clean and disinfect nonporous athletic mats, wrestling mats, gymnastic mats, exercise equipment, and training tables. Use to clean and disinfect nonporous personal protective safety equipment, wrestling headgear, boxing headgear, protective headgear, athletic helmets, hard hats, goggles, spectacles, face shields, hearing protectors, and ear muffs. Rinse all equipment that comes in prolonged contact with skin with warm water and allow to air dry before reuse. (Caution: Cleaning at the recommended 120oF. temperature will avoid overheating and distortion

of the personal safety equipment that would necessitate replacement.)"  


Based on several websites and articles that I've read the number one way to prevent the spread of MRSA, and other communicable diseases, is practicing proper hygiene. The basis for proper hygiene care is hand washing. I know that the teachers and other staff work very hard at stressing hand washing with students, however, we need to be ever vigilent. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has produced an excellent website for MRSA related questions and practices. The link is www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools

Finally, the website for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is www.tpchd.org There is quite a bit of additional info and tools regarding MRSA and the prevetion of its spreading at this site.