Educating the Athletic Community about MRSA

1. Educating the Athletic Community about MRSA Presentation for Hawaii Athletic Trainers’ Association August 2009

2. Why bother? • BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE STATE: • The BOC does not express an opinion on the competence or warrant job performance of credential holders; however, every Athletic Trainer and applicant must agree to comply with the Standards at all times. • Standard 1: Direction • The Athletic Trainer renders service or treatment under the direction of a physician. • Standard 2: Prevention • The Athletic Trainer understands and uses preventive measures to ensure the highest quality of care for • every patient.

3. WHY BOTHER?

4. Because… • 17 year old wrestler Noah A. Developed flu like symptoms following wrestling camp in Lake Arrowhead, CA June 2008 • PMD suspected chicken pox • Noah developed pneumonia • Died July 20, 2008

5. Because….

6. Saleen Jones, 17 year old cornerback at Martin Luther King High school in Philadelphia died Sept 27, 2008 from MRSA • No visible signs of MRSA infection • Went to hospital with neck pain, initially ER staff suspected head injury

7. Other newsmakers • Ryan Robinson, junior soccer player Jessamine High School Ky Died 2008 • Alonzo Smith, senior Liberty HS Florida went to ER with back spasms, quad contraction and rash died Oct 2008 • An entire county in Wisconsin suspended wrestling for one month in 2007 due to “widespread MRSA”

8. Why bother? • 2007—6 out of 59 high school football players diagnosed with MRSA infection after spending 4 nights sleeping in school gym for football camp. • Although athletes were offered laundry service most never washed the towels they brought into camp. • Athletes shared towels, soap, and razors

9. Why bother… • Infectious Disease News reported in May 2007 that 53% of Certified Athletic Trainers surveyed, reported treating a MRSA infection within the past year. • 21 schools were closed in Virginia after a Bedford high school senior died from MRSA complication in 2008

10. PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION • “It is much easier to cure what you never had in the first place” Sam the flim flam man

11. Who to educate • Student Athletes • Coaches • Administrators • Parents • Equipment Managers • Janitorial/custodial staff

12. How? • Know your audience; know what appeals to them and what their attention span is. • Know where you present • At practice field, gym, court • Classrooms, auditoriums etc • Today’s Students are visual learners, your medium for presenting depends on your site

13. Who do you think has the shortest attention span? • Students? • Parents? • Coaches? • Administrators? • Staff?

14. Educating students • SCARE THEM!!! • Put posters in Athletic Training Room, locker rooms, bulletin boards • Show them pictures, power points, videos • Tell them there is a podcast • Tell them how to clean and to keep wounds covered • Make sure they clean equipment and personal items like knee/elbow pads • Teach them to STOP SHARING

15. EDUCATING PARENTS • TAP THEIR EMOTIONS • I start with picture of Saleen Jones • Tell them what they can do at home • Tell them signs and symptoms that warrant MD visit • Reassure them what you, your employer do to prevent and control MRSA

16. EDUCATING ADMINISTRATORS • REASSURE THEM • Tell them the steps you and your athletic staff take to prevent infection ie. • Disinfection controls :Mop floors, disinfect treatment tables (often), disinfectant in whirlpools, wash towels and uniforms in hottest water safe for fabric, wash hands • Cleanse and bandage all wounds daily • Refer to MD when any symptoms arise • Tell them you are trying to educate your coaches,students, and parents • Communicate with school nurse/health center

17. EDUCATING COACHES • SHOCK THEM!! • Put Newspaper clippings in their locker room, mailbox, or clipboard • Highlight the part where the coaches are quoted • Make sure they know all skin wounds have high risk • Make sure they have first aid supplies at practice • Tell them to encourage players to shower immediately after practice and not to share soap or towels

18. EDUCATING SCHOOL STAFF • MATTER OF FACT • TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE OUTBREAK • Give them CDC guidelines • Make sure coaches and equipment staff wear gloves while handling laundry

19. Great Resources • CDC www.cdc.gov Click on MRSA education materials • They have lots of downloads, posters, handouts, powerpoints, podcasts. • All are reproducible and free. You may also order full size posters. The power point is from 2004 and can be edited.

20. CDC handouts: • There are differing headers to this handout

26. MRSA:Implications in Sports Medicine • Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as “staph”, are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people

27. Resources • Hibicleans • They have posters, handouts, video/DVDs

28. Resources • NATA www.nata.org • Best practices statement

29. Resources • Hawaii State Department of Health • www.hawaii.gov/health • There is one handout but not much else

30. Poster from State Department of Health

31. Resources • www.mrsaresouces.com • They have a printable, customizable, tri-fold brochure written at student level

32. Summary • Use a variety of materials • Leave a handout after you finish speaking • Try to keep to 15 minutes or less

33. Questions????????????? Mahalo