Environmental Testing to Combat Infections From Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that can be found in a person’s skin or in their nose. For those who develop the infection, it is resistant to many antibiotics which makes it difficult to treat.

Traditionally, MRSA infections have been associated with hospitalization or other health care-associated risk factors. In more recent years, health care providers have observed MRSA infections in an increasing number of people who lack traditional health care-associated risk factors. These people appear to have community-associated (CA) infections, also referred to as CA-MRSA.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports that CA-MRSA infections are defined as MRSA infections in people with no history of the following risk factors within the year prior to the MRSA culture date: 

• Hospitalization or surgery
• Permanent indwelling catheters or percutaneous medical devices
• Residence in a long-term care facility
• Dialysis
• MRSA culture less than 48 hours after hospital admission

“Anyone can get MRSA and the likelihood increases with activities or places that involve crowding, skin-to-skin contact, and shared equipment or supplies,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Aside from medical patients already receiving care that were the traditional populations considered at risk - athletes, daycare and school students, military personnel in barracks and prison inmates are considered to have a higher chance of developing this type of infection. Cleaning and disinfection procedures in these high risk environments are important for preventing the spread of this and other superbugs.”

With dozens of laboratories across North America, EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides environmental and surface testing for MRSA and many other pathogens. Testing is instrumental for confirming cleaning and disinfection procedures, and can also be helpful for pinpointing the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about CA-MRSA that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/EAPbbSJmXOg.

For more information about MRSA and microbial testing or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail