Soft Tissue InfectionsSoft Tissue Infections

Lawrence L. LambertLawrence L. Lambert

Off Shore ParamedicOff Shore Paramedic

Acadian Integrated ServicesAcadian Integrated Services

Staphylococcus AureusStaphylococcus Aureus

• Commonly called staphCommonly called staph

• Bacteria commonly found on human Bacteria commonly found on human skinskin

• Commonly foundCommonly found– Inside the noseInside the nose– ArmpitArmpit– GroinGroin– Genital AreasGenital Areas

MRSAMRSAMethicillin-resistant S. AureusMethicillin-resistant S. Aureus

• SymptomsSymptoms– ReddnessReddness– WarmthWarmth– SwellingSwelling– TendernessTenderness– Boils or blistersBoils or blisters– Often mistaken for spider bitesOften mistaken for spider bites– Fever and chillsFever and chills

How is MRSA Spread?How is MRSA Spread?

• Close contact with infected personsClose contact with infected persons

• Staph can come off skin during skin to to Staph can come off skin during skin to to skin contactskin contact

• Staph can come off the skin onto shared Staph can come off the skin onto shared objects and surfaces and can get into the objects and surfaces and can get into the skin of another person who uses that skin of another person who uses that object or surfaceobject or surface

• Through the drainage and pus which is Through the drainage and pus which is very infectiousvery infectious

Who is at risk for MRSA Who is at risk for MRSA Infections?Infections?

• Those with recurrent skin diseases or Those with recurrent skin diseases or open woundsopen wounds

• Long term illnessLong term illness

• Been a patient at a hospital or other Been a patient at a hospital or other health care facility within the past health care facility within the past yearyear

Who is at risk for MRSA Who is at risk for MRSA Infections?Infections?

• Contact with persons with MRSA Contact with persons with MRSA infectionsinfections

• Recent Antibiotic useRecent Antibiotic use

• Live in crowded settingsLive in crowded settings

MRSA is diagnosed through a MRSA is diagnosed through a culture being taken and sent culture being taken and sent

to the laboratoryto the laboratory

How is MRSA treated?How is MRSA treated?

• Proper wound and skin care using Proper wound and skin care using antibioticsantibiotics

• Incision and drainage (I&D)Incision and drainage (I&D)

• More serious infections may require More serious infections may require IV antibiotic treatmentsIV antibiotic treatments

How can I protect myself from How can I protect myself from becoming infected with staphbecoming infected with staph

• Keep your hands clean by washing Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and waterthoroughly with soap and water

• Keep cuts and abrasions clean and Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a clean bandage until covered with a clean bandage until healedhealed

How can I protect myself from How can I protect myself from becoming infected with staphbecoming infected with staph

• Avoid contact with other employee Avoid contact with other employee wounds wounds

• Clean objects and surfaces that are Clean objects and surfaces that are shared with other employees before shared with other employees before you use themyou use them

If I have MRSA or staph how If I have MRSA or staph how can I keep from spreading it?can I keep from spreading it?

• Keep infections covered with clean, Keep infections covered with clean, dry bandagesdry bandages

• Wash hands after touching exposed Wash hands after touching exposed skin and bandagesskin and bandages

• Do not share personal itemsDo not share personal items

• Keep your clothes cleanKeep your clothes clean

• Avoid skin to skin contact with othersAvoid skin to skin contact with others

What should I do if I think I What should I do if I think I have a staph infection?have a staph infection?

• Consult your medic immediatelyConsult your medic immediately

• Early treatment can help prevent the Early treatment can help prevent the infection from getting worseinfection from getting worse

• Control the spread!!!Control the spread!!!