MRSA
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

INFORMATION ON MRSA - AN ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT INFECTION

The Davenport Community Schools are committed to providing a safe learning environment for our students and we encourage families to be informed about potential health risks.  Although not a significant health concern in our community, the much-publicized increase in MRSA-related incidents among younger people across the country and a small number of confirmed cases within our district underscores the importance of raising awareness and preventing possible infection among our students and families.

Please read through the following information about MRSA and discuss the positive steps individuals and families can take to minimize their risk of infection.  Your family physician can be a good resource for you if you have questions, and our school nurses are also available to provide information.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a form of staph infection that does not respond to routine treatment with some commonly used antibiotics.

About MRSA

What is community-associated MRSA?

This is a MRSA infection that does not come from a hospital or nursing home.  It usually originates with skin infections such as pimples or boils.  These may need to be treated with carefully chosen antibiotics since it is possible for MRSA to cause blood, bone and lung infections.  The overwhelming number of MRSA infections has been in the skin and soft tissue; although serious, these infections are not life-threatening.  These skin infections can be treated.  That is why it is important to seek medical attention early.  Please note that the Scott County Health Department has established guidelines that as long as an infected individual is undergoing appropriate treatment and that the wound is properly covered, students do not need to be excluded from school.

Who is most at risk?

People in hospitals and nursing homes, or in conditions where skin touches skin through cuts and scrapes, and in crowded living conditions.

How is MRSA spread?

The infection looks like a spider bite, red, swollen and painful, and it may drain fluids.  Those who think they have a skin infection should see a health-care provider to determine whether it is MRSA.

How can I keep MRSA from spreading?

The Davenport Community Schools and the Scott County Health Departments are working closely together to provide information and support to school nurses and other school staff regarding appropriate prevention, identification and treatment of skin wounds.  The school district has a maintenance program in place to ensure that all necessary cleaning is done to provide a safe, supportive learning environment - including the use of products and cleaning procedures that significantly minimize the risk of MRSA transmission.

For more information, please contact the Scott County Health Department at 326-8616 or your family physician.

Here is a link to the Iowa Department of Public Health website as well:

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/search/search.aspx?q=MRSA

We appreciate your support and cooperation.

NOTES FROM THE NURSE

    If your child becomes ill at school, you will be notified.  The following guidelines will be used to call you:

    Any health care concerns for students should be brought to the attention of the school nurse.

                                  Administration of Medications

    The Davenport School Board assumes no responsibility for medical treatment of students.  The school does not normally give medications.  But if a student must take prescribed medication during school hours, the school can administer such medications in situations where the student's health and/or education will be in jeopardy without the medication.   To give any medication, a form must be presented with clear directions from the doctor, the doctor's signature and written permission from the parent or guardian.  The medication should be in its original container and should be labeled with the student's name, name of the medication, directions for use, name of the physician, name of the pharmacy and date of the prescription.  The parent or guardian should bring the medication to school.

                                                  Hearing Tests
    Hearing tests are done by the AEA 9 Audiologists for students in grades Pre-school, K, 1, 2, and 8.  Parents and teachers may request that a screening be done whenever a problem is suspected.

                                                Immunizations
    The Iowa Immunization Law requires that parents of all children attending schools in Iowa provide written proof of immunizations.  No Child May Attend School Without a Certificate of Immunization.

                                             Vision Screening
    Vision screenings are done by the school nurse for students in grades K, 3, 5 and 7.  Teachers and parents may request a vision screening whenever a problem is suspected.