in which patrons and staff have bare skin contact with others or
with shared equipment or surfaces (gyms, health clubs, and
spas), or where patrons share close living spaces (shelters,
youth hostels, and camps), should be concerned about the
potential transmission of community acquired MRSA.
Staphylococcus aureus or “Staph” is a common
bacterium that can cause skin and invasive infections. Over the
past several decades, these bacteria have developed resistance
to several important antibiotics, thereby making it more
difficult to treat infections due to Staph.
Infection with methicillin-resistant
(antibiotic-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common
among patients exposed to the bacterium while in a health-care
facility and among persons with histories of repeated or
long-term antibiotic therapy.
Though the risk of death is small, skin and soft
tissue infections (boils, abscesses, cellulitis) with MRSA have
recently been reported in increasing numbers among persons of
all ages in all parts of the country.
These infections
the
surface, facilitate drying, and reduce areas where bacteria may
grow;
• Ensure a halide residual (chlorine)
recommended for swimming pools, spa pools and other basins or
tanks used for immersion by multiple patrons. In public pools,
the California State pool code (California Code of Regulations,
Title 22, Section 65529) requires a free chlorine residual of at
least 1.0 ppm (parts per million) and a pH between 7.2 and 8.0.
LAC DPH recommends the free chlorine residual in swimming pools
and spas be maintained between 2.0 and 3.0 ppm and the pH
between 7.4 and 7.6; and
• Fill spa pools used for single-use immersion
(e.g., tanks or pools that are drained after each use) with tap
water and, according to manufacturer’s instructions, clean the
pool surfaces with an EPA-registered detergent disinfectant or
with a 1:100 dilution (500-615 ppm) of household chlorine
bleach.
Staff in facility laundries should be
encouraged to:
• Wash shared linens (towels, sheets, blankets
or uniforms) in detergent and water at 160º F for at least 25
minutes, or if a lower temperature wash cycle is selected, use
laundry detergent that is appropriate for cold or warm water
cycles (oxygenated laundry compounds);
• Use laundry additives according to the
manufacturer’s instructions;
• Use a mechanical dryer on hot temperature
cycle (avoid air drying); and
• Distribute towels, uniforms, etc. only when
they are completely dry.
General Considerations
• Check the product’s label to ensure that the
disinfectant is suitable for the type of surface being treated
(vinyl, cloth, plastic, or wood);
• Check that the product label
specifies Staphylococcus aureus (many over thecounter
disinfectant products sold in grocery stores, pharmacies, and
warehouse stores will have a label claim for Staphylococcus
aureus and other bacteria);
• Ensure that the disinfectant is prepared to
the proper use concentration and that this working solution
remains on the surface of the equipment for the recommended
contact time; and
• Unused working solutions of disinfectant can
be poured down the drain. Disposable wipe cloths can be
discarded as a routine solid waste.
Disinfection Strategies for
Steam Bath and Sauna Surfaces
For nonporous surfaces (tile, stainless steel,
epoxy and linoleum) use an EPA registered detergent disinfectant
suitable for the type of surface being treated. If an
EPA-registered product is not available, a 1:100 dilution
(500-615 ppm) of household chlorine bleach can be used for
nonporous surfaces.
For wood surfaces, scrub and disinfect with 1:10
dilution (5,000-6,150 ppm) of household chlorine bleach.
Bleach solutions should be left on
surfaces for at least 10 minutes to achieve maximum
disinfection.
If bleach is used, cleaning and disinfection
should be done at room temperature and surfaces should be rinsed
well with water before restarting the heat.
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