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MIND r ' ’% i%lAn l lilm-nML, HOD w ; HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL Take alert for community associated staph infections Special to the Journal Several new strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, infections, have set tled into communities across the United States. These types of infections are developed out in the community and are not hos pital-acquired infections. Houston Healthcare is warning physicians and com munity members alike to be on the lookout for this type of infection in the Houston County community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as “staph,” are bac teria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Staph bacte ria are one of the most com mon causes of skin infections in the United States. Staph bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics such as methi cillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin, are referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus. Dubbed community-asso ciated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, by the CDC, these staph bac teria are genetically differ ent from the more familiar hospital-acquired MRSA. Community-associated MRSA is infecting healthy people of all ages who have not been recently hospital ized or had a medical proce dure within the past year. Often looking like spi der bites or insect stings, the staph bacteria primar ily cause minor skin and soft-tissue infections such as painful boils, pimples, abscesses and cellulitis that are easily spread from per son to person. They can also cause serious infections such as osteomyelitis and blood stream infections. “We are seeing increasing numbers of patients in our Emergency Departments at both Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital, as well as at the Med Stops, with community-associated MRSA infections,” states Lisa Harris, RN, BSN, CIC, Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Houston Healthcare. “Most often they come to us with what they think is an insect regll # jfll ■rail Hk| | fl|| Middle Georgia Neurology, LLC Specializing in Adult and Child Neurology, EMG/Nerve Conduction and Sleep Medicine 233 North Houston Road, Suite J4OC • Warner Robins (located in the Houston Health Pavilion) Readijiiag. Hm, Run Your Employment Ad With Us, And You’ll Find Them! $2 50 PER LINE PER DAY j $12 00 PER COLUMN INCH DISPLAY MRSA precautions Taking the following sknpie precautions can stop tin spread of these com munity-associated MRSA Infections. 1. Practice good hygiene. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed. 3. Avoid contact with other people's wounds and/or bandages. 4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors. 5. Clean and disinfect shared equipment and toys after each use. To prevent spreading staph or MRSA Infections to others, take the folow hig precautions: 1. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered bite or spider bite that will not heal. What they actually have is a community-associ ated MRSA infection.” w ,\ ny m •,1., ■■ r m ww m[ ouston Healthcare’s Med-Stops offer care for your family’s minor illnesses and injuries on a walk-in basis when your regular doctor’s office is closed or when you don’t need the technical services of the Emergency Room. The Med-Stops are staffed by Board Certified Family Practice and Internal Medicine physicians working with nurses and medical technicians. Lab and x-ray services are available on-site. ♦ Houston Lake Med-Stop Hwy. 127 and Moody Raid 9884865 Open Mon - Sat 7 am - 6:30 pm Abdul Qadir, MD Diplomats, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology is pleased to announce the opening of his new practice 923-3535 Accepting New Patients The CDC has identified factors that have been asso ciated with the spread of CA-MRSA skin infections Urgent Care... when you need it. Un« Ads Deadline: 2 days prior at 4pm Display Ads Deadline: 2 days prior at Noon Can Us At 478 907-102) or fox; 470-9*o-9194 or Cott: 1-o*o-073-2hr2 or •maHt rtlcat«c(Qi«vasnsfWSpap4»rs. com to include close skin-to-skin contact, cuts or abrasions on the skin, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living ♦ Pavilion Med-Stop N. Houston Raid at Houston Mall 923-2843 Open Daily 8 am - 7:30 pm SS(X)7 with clean, dry bandages. Follow instructions on proper wound care. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent contamination of others. Bandages or tape can be discarded with the regular trash. 2. Clean your hands. Everyone in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound. 3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, bar soap, clothing, equipment, 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. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes. 4. Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection. ' ■ A -• Iff 3$ '^apKCSsSS Are you 18 years or older and suffering from C, ■ 1 Me «>otrc^ w 4 2,5 l We may have the answer to your problem. Call today (478) 825-3317 for more information. (478) 825-3317 • 20! Avera Drive • Fort Valley, GA 31030 conditions, and poor person al hygiene. Clusters of infec tions have been investigated among athletes; children, Hilary Kate Ellwood, MD Board Certified, American Academy of Family Medicine Kimberley R. Ham, MD Board Certified, American Academy of Family Medicine Cynthia M. Jones, MD Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine Gayatri Kamat, MD Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine Michael W. Early, Sr., MD Cyndi Williams-Green, PA-C, Physician Assistant Rheumatoid Arthritis even though you are taking Methotrexate? EARLY Family Practice Center SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2007 ♦ military recruits, homo sexual men, and prisoners. Most MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. Houston Healthcare is host ing a free educational semi nar on how to prevent MRSA May 17 from 11:30 a.m.-l p.m. at the Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center. Lisa Harris, RN, BSN, CIC, Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Houston Healthcare will be the guest speaker. A light lunch will be served. Seating is limited and pre registration is required by calling 478-923-9771. Barbara A. Matthews, MD Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine Jodie VeHe,MD Board Eligible, American Board of Family Practice Ferial Walid, MD Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine ' 7A 50626 5446!