posted by Joe Polk at 3:40 PM /
Mt. Lebanon recreation officials this week warned parents and doused equipment with bleach after a young soccer player contracted a drug-resistant staph infection.
One member of the municipality's preschool-to-second grade soccer league was diagnosed with MRSA on Wednesday, and rec officials believed the best response to prevent it from spreading to teammates was to wash all soccer balls in a bleach solution after each game.
Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_592701.html
One member of the municipality's preschool-to-second grade soccer league was diagnosed with MRSA on Wednesday, and rec officials believed the best response to prevent it from spreading to teammates was to wash all soccer balls in a bleach solution after each game.
Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_592701.html
Labels: MRSA, recreation department, soccer
1 Comments:
My condolences to the soccer player that acquired MRSA recently. It is my hope this young person is on the road to recovery.
As a nurse consultant, I would not recommend the routine use of bleach to disinfect soccer balls. Why? Bleach will deteriorate the surface of soccer balls, including threads, rendering the athletic equipment unusable. Therefore, the recreation department may incur additional costs of replacing the soccer balls. After disinfecting the soccer equipment and the bleach dries, it is only effective at killing bacteria for a very short period of time. Thereafter, once individuals touch the surface of the soccer ball, it will be recontaminated with staph bacteria.
What is the solution? A more appropriate approach is to treat the surface of athletic equipment with an antimicrobial coating or sports coating. Sports coatings work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria on surfaces, including fabrics. Sports coatings work 24/7and last for months on surfaces after only one application, making its use very cost-effective. It is a spray application, clear, odorless and safe for use around children.
For more information about sports coatings for athletic surfaces, MRSA prevention programs and MRSA education, contact Debbie Shilobod RN, 724-875-4306 or email:
InfectionControl@PremierHealthcareConsulting.net.
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