For The Transcript

More than 180 representatives from 30 different Oklahoma and Arkansas VHA hospitals are meeting today at Norman Regional Hospital to discuss infection control practices and collaborate on what hospitals can do to stop the spread of MRSA.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus or MRSA was first identified in 1960 and was mainly found in hospitals and nursing homes. In the late 1990s, a new type of MRSA was identified. This type of MRSA has become more common among children and adults who do not have medical problems and has been steadily growing in prevalence in communities across the country. Hospitals and other health providers nationally have designed a number of infection control programs to protect patients and staff.

"Because of recent media coverage, MRSA has been at the forefront of everyone's attention," said David Whitaker, president and chief executive officer of Norman Regional Health System. "Addressing MRSA is one of the top priorities of Norman Regional Health System and many U.S. hospitals."

"The overall purpose of this summit is to strengthen and give momentum among VHA hospitals by bringing together regional experts to develop programs and processes to effectively manage acquisition of MRSA infections," said Dr. Bruce Naylor, vice president of clinical affairs for VHA Oklahoma/Arkansas.

MRSA are staph bacteria that are resistant to the common antibiotic methicillin. Anyone can get MRSA. Infections range from mild to very serious, even life threatening.

"Most infections due to MRSA that occur in the community are easily treated in the physician's office and without the use of antibiotics," said Becky Coffman, communicable disease epidemiologist with the Oklahoma State Health Department. "Healthcare providers are not required to report individual cases of MRSA to the Oklahoma State Health Department; however, the Acute Disease Service has received increasing numbers of calls from both citizens and healthcare providers regarding MRSA skin infections. This summit provides the vehicle to network with regional experts on this issue."

MRSA can be sores that look and feel like a spider bite or large, red, painful bumps under the skin (called boils). MRSA may form in a cut that is swollen, hot and filled with pus or blisters filled with fluid (called impetigo). It is also possible to have MRSA in other areas of the body, such as blood, lungs, eyes and urine. These types of infections are less common.

The infection should always be treated by a health care provider. The provider may drain the infection, give antibiotics or reduce the amount of bacteria on one's skin by using a special soap or ointment.

MRSA skin infections are contagious and can spread to other people through skin-to-skin contact. They can also spread from shared items such as bedding, towels, soap, clothes and sports equipment. If a person is a MRSA carrier and doesn't wash his or her hands properly, things touched with hands can give the bacteria to other people.

The most important thing people can do to protect against MRSA is wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cuts and scrapes should be kept clean and covered with bandages. Other people's cuts or bandages should not be touched and personal items like towels or razors should not be shared. Showers or baths are recommended after contact sports practice or events.