In light of increasing national concern and media coverage over the spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), EMSResponder.com has compiled a list of online resources, the latest news coverage and the following advice for EMS personnel:

As MRSA continues to spread across the country, EMS personnel are encouraged to pay close attention to patients with open sores or wounds. Victims often include patients of health care facilities, high school athletes, rescue personnel and elementary school students.

Some health officials are calling this spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) an epidemic, but careful hygiene may contain it. The public is advised to simply wash hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based sanitizer, keep cuts and scrapes covered with a bandage and avoid sharing towels or other items.

Health care providers should be especially diligent about wearing gloves and washing their hands after patient contact, and continue to use universal precautions, says Dr. Robert Bass, executive director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Systems (MIEMSS).

"Other than the use of gloves and masks, there's really nothing else we can suggest," he said. Bass added that particular attention should be taken if EMS personnel observe sores, boils or other injuries on their patients. Wounds should be covered.

EMS agencies may also be able to improve their procedures and compliance for disinfecting vehicles and equipment, as outlined in this month's EMS Magazine cover article, Bug Patrol. See below for additional related links on MRSA and infection control:

MRSA Resources

• CDC Featured Podcast: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• CDC: MRSA and the Workplace
• CDC: Overview of Healthcare-associated MRSA
• CDC: Infection Control in Healthcare Settings

Features

• Bug Patrol; Basic principles of cleaning, decontamination and disinfection for EMS
• Do You Have an Exposure Control Plan?
• Infection Control; the story of one paramedic's MRSA infection
• Best Practices: Infection Control
• MRSA Colonization in Ambulances

News

• MRSA Infection Claims Texas Rescuer; Wife Seeks Answers
• MRSA Bug Hits 2 at FDNY
• DC Fire and EMS Dealing With Staph Infection
• Staph Infection Plagues Fresno, California Rescuers
• Staph Screening May Wipe Out Germ
• Report: Staph Fatalities May Exceed AIDS Deaths
• Staph Cases Reported in 6 States
• New Staph Superbug Study Estimates Higher Infection Rate
• Boils, MRSA Infections Concern Mississippi Health Officials
• D.C. Region Fights Antibiotic Resistant Staph Bacteria
• Staph Skin Infections on Rise in U.S.
• Georgia Health-Care Officials Warn of New, Antibiotic-Resistant Infections