Issues

Staph Infection in the Correctional Facility

Summary

What is Staph? Staph is an infection, usually on the skin, that is caused by staphylococcus bacteria. It causes open sores (lesions) on the skin. If the infection is widespread the skin lesions can lead to a variety of serious and even life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, lung abscess, blood poisoning, brain inflammation or brain abscesses.

How is staph spread? Staph is spread by contaminated hands.

Who is at risk? Anyone who has close contact with a carrier of the germ.

How can infection be prevented? Infected people must be identified and treated. Use good hygiene practices including frequent and thorough handwashing, and disinfecting shared objects such as baths, showers, sinks, etc., should be disinfected between uses.

What is Staph?

There are several types of staphylococcus bacteria that cause illness in people. The most common type is staphylococcus aureus, or staph aureus. It causes open sores (lesions) on the skin. If the infection is widespread, the skin lesions can lead to a variety of serious and even life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, lung abscess, sepsis (blood poisoning), meningitis (brain inflammation) or brain abscesses. Symptoms usually occur within 4 to 10 days, although the time is variable and indefinite.

How is Staph spread?

Staph bacteria are most commonly found in the nose. The infection is most commonly spread by peoples' hands after direct contact with the nose or objects such as used tissues. Persons with a draining lesion or who are constant carriers of the bacteria are the most common sources of epidemic spread. Common use areas, such as showers, sinks, exercise equipment, etc., can become contaminated. It is important that these be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant between uses.

Who is at risk?

The disease is most commonly found where people are crowded together, such as correctional facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes, and where hygiene — especially the use of soap and water — is not adequate. Over the past 5 years, there have been correctional institution outbreaks of Staph in Mississippi (60 cases) Texas (200 cases), Georgia (94 cases) Tennessee (7 cases), California (1,000 cases), Pennsylvania (32 cases) and Ohio (172 cases).

What is Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?

Due to the misuse and overuse of some antibiotics, certain staph infections can no longer be treated using common drugs. These strains are generally called Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

What can be done to protect workers?

The following infection control practices are needed to prevent and/or control the spread of staph:

  • Frequent and effective (20 second minimum) handwashing with soap and water.
  • Covering all open wounds.
  • General good hygiene practices (daily showers, use tissues for nose cleaning, etc.)
  • NO sharing of personal toiletry items (razors, toothbrushes, lip balm)
  • Sanitizing exercise equipment between users, as well as common sinks, showers, etc.)
  • Immediate medical assessment for all draining, swollen, red, or painful sores.

Workers and inmates need to be given detailed information on staph disease and its prevention. Outbreaks of staph infections should be reported to the local public health authority immediately.

August 2005

For more information about protecting workers from workplace hazards, contact the AFSCME Health and Safety Program at (202) 429-1228, or 1625 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

 

 

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