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HEALTH WATCH: Instructions for preventing the spread of infectious skin diseases

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by Jim Porter

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREVENTING SPREAD OF MRSA-CA AND OTHER INFECTIOUS SKIN DISEASES

These instructions are based on recommendations from Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and numerous NCAA Athletic Departments.

Instructions to Athletes:
- Shower with hot water no later than 30 minutes after practice using liquid soap rather than bar soap
- Never re-use clothing after it has been worn once for practice
- Never Share towels, clothes or equipment
- Wipe down equipment weekly with a disinfectant spray weekly (10% Bleach solution or commercially prepared solution that is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal)
- Show all pimples, boils, spider bites, lacerations and abrasions to Athletic Trainer/Coach immediately
- Clean Wrestling mats no more than 60 minutes before practice and immediately after practice
- Have all open wounds or draining wounds covered by Occlusive Dressing such as Tagaderm

Instructions to Administrators:
- Educate all staff, coaches, parents and athletes about CDC guidelines using the "Am I Disqualified?" DVD from www.thematdoc.com
- Increase surveillance of "spider bites" pimples and boils by Athletic Trainer or Coach and Document observations
- Insist that all draining wounds be referred to physician and cultured to identify bacteria
- Identify all CA-MRSA carriers with nasal cultures
- Encourage frequent hand hygiene by parents and Athletes
- Use a 3 percent hexachlorophene or 4 percent chlorhexidine in soap dispensers
- Make alcohol based hand sanitizers available in classrooms, practice fields and areas without access to soap and water
- Use disposable towels on the field during practice and tournaments.
- Inspect cleaning procedures for all equipment and facilities before and after issuing
- Wrestling Mats should be cleaned no more than 30 minutes before practice and immediately after practice
- Exercise equipment should be cleaned after each practice.
- Never issue any equipment until it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
- Ensure that water used for laundry and showers is at least 140 degrees
- Isolate an athlete with identified Infectious skin disease from contact with other players until wound is healed and dry.
- Educate players about possible consequence of these infections and showing them pictures of wounds that have gone untreated

thematdoc.com

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