Tools for Preventing & Fighting MRSA Infections

Last month, CNN published a report that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved a new drug to treat Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.  The new drug is taken intravenously and is used for treating skin infections caused by MRSA.  It is reportedly the first drug labeled by the FDA as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product.

MRSA is a type of bacterium that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. MRSA infections are typically spread by having contact with someone’s skin infection.  It may also occur from contact with personal items they have come in contact with MRSA or by touching contaminated surfaces.

“The approval of the drug to treat MRSA provides a new tool for medical professionals fighting these challenging infections, but people also need to emphasize preventing infections from occurring in the first place,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “MRSA infections are commonly spread in places where people are in close contact with others.  In the past, most MRSA cases were related to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but in recent years there has been a rise in infections being spread in community settings.  Environmental testing can help to find MRSA on surfaces before an outbreak has occurred or to pinpoint its source if an outbreak is underway.  Testing can also determine the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting procedures in high risk locations such as hospitals and schools.”

EMSL provides environmental testing services and sampling supplies for MRSA and other microbial pathogens.  The company has also sponsored an educational video about MRSA that can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf1Zn3t-A5U.

To learn more about environmental testing for microbial pathogens or other health and safety testing issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 
 

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail