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SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
PATRICIA HEALY
Chairman
NANETTE KIDBY
Vice-Chairman
ROBERT BELMAN
JOHN LEDOUX, ED.D.
PATRICIA MANCINI DOREEN PHILLIPS
DANA REINBOLDT
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STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
31 Stafford Avenue Stafford, Virginia 22554-7246
Phone: 540-658-6000
Fax: 540-658-5963
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Dear Parent/Guardian:
This letter is to inform the Stafford community of the measures Stafford County Public Schools is taking in regard to staph infections, including MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Many school divisions throughout the region and nationally are dealing with this issue. I want to assure you that Stafford County Schools are taking a proactive approach and will take every measure necessary to provide a safe learning environment for all students.
Working closely with the Rappahannock Area Health District, our nurse manager is directing our nursing staff at each school on the detection, treatment and prevention of skin infections. Information regarding staph infections is printed below. Please review this information and I ask that each family take time to communicate with your children about good personal hygiene, proper hand washing practices and not sharing objects that could pass bacteria to another student. If you are concerned that your child might have a staph infection, please seek diagnosis and treatment from your family doctor. It is very important for the health of the entire school population that you inform the school nurse of any diagnosed or suspected infectious condition. All health information will be kept strictly confidential.
The following highlights the Stafford County Public Schools’ process for responding to this issue:
- Parents, students and staff are to be informed about outbreaks of contagious infections confirmed at an individual school. Particularly, student athletes and their families will be informed regarding skin infections and their treatment and prevention.
- When a skin infection is confirmed, increased and enhanced custodial cleaning efforts will take place above our customary daily cleaning of our school facilities. At all schools, attention will be focused on equipment and areas used by numerous students. In particular, physical education and athletic facilities including mats (wrestling/gymnastics) and other equipment used by numerous students will receive extra cleaning. Athletic trainers and coaches will direct student athletes on the cleaning of their personal equipment as well.
- We are using cleaning procedures and cleaning solutions throughout the school system that will abate bacterial growth.
- School nurses will report skin infections to the nurse manager who shares this information with the health district. School nurses will refer parents to their family physician for diagnosis and treatment.
- Encouraging good hygiene practices with our student and staff populations.
Please know that Stafford Schools is following proper protocols to keep the school environment as safe as possible for all students and staff.
Sincerely,
David E. Sawyer
David E. Sawyer, Ed.D
Superintendent
Questions and Answers about Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools
What type of infections does MRSA cause?
In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).
Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.
How is MRSA transmitted?
How is MRSA transmitted?
MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (e.g., towels, used bandages).
In what settings do MRSA skin infections occur?
MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere, but some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted. These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (i.e., cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness. Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers.
Should schools close because of an MRSA infection?
The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be made by school officials in consultation with local and/or state public health officials. However, in most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because of an MRSA infection in a student.
Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA infection occurs?
Covering infections will greatly reduce the risk of surfaces becoming contaminated with MRSA. In general it is not necessary to close schools to "disinfect" them. When MRSA skin infections occur, cleaning and disinfection should be performed on surfaces that are likely to contact uncovered or poorly covered infections.
Cleaning surfaces with detergent-based cleaners or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants is effective at removing MRSA from the environment. It is important to read the instruction labels on all cleaners to make sure they are used safely and appropriately.
The EPA provides a list of EPA-registered products effective against MRSA: http://epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm
Should the entire school community be notified of every MRSA infection?
Usually, it should not be necessary to inform the entire school community about a single MRSA infection. When an MRSA infection occurs within the school population, the school nurse and administration should determine whether some or all students, parents and staff should be notified. Consultation with the local public health authorities can be used to guide this decision.
Should the school be notified that my child has an MRSA infection?
Consult with your school about its policy for notification of skin infections.
Should students with MRSA skin infections be excluded from attending school?
Unless directed by a physician, students with MRSA infections should not be excluded from attending school.
Exclusion from school and sports activities should be reserved for those with wound drainage ("pus") that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
I have an MRSA skin infection. How do I prevent spreading it to others?
- 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. Bandages and tape can be discarded with the regular trash.
- Clean your hands frequently. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, 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.
- If you observe children with open draining wounds or infections, refer the child to the school nurse.
- Enforce hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (if available) before eating and after using the bathroom.
Advice for School Health Personnel
- Students with skin infections may need to be referred to a licensed health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. School health personnel should notify parents/guardians when possible skin infections are detected.
- Use standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene before and after contact, wearing gloves) when caring for nonintact skin or potential infections.
- Use barriers such as gowns, masks and eye protection if splashing of body fluids is anticipated.
Page last reviewed: October 29, 2007
Adapted from: Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Adapted from: Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases
To view the original: www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSA
To view the original: www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSA
