An Update to Make Difference in Global Community Health

Back in November we asked our members to take part in a short survey  survey on MRSA in your workplace and community and now the results are in. As nurses and health care workers we come into contact with MRSA- read the preliminary report below.

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Knowledge and Perceptions about Community-associated staphylococcal infections among health care workers in Hawaii

Follow-up Summary Report for Participating Organizations

Brandyn Dunn, MPH Alan Tice, MD

With one of the highest rates of MRSA in the United States, an investigation of knowledge and perceptions of Hawaii’s health care workers regarding Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA infections in the community was carried out to indentify knowledge gaps as well as misperceptions. A web-based survey was sent to health-related organizations throughout the state of Hawaii representing a range of levels of medical education and clinical exposure. Responders included: Physicians, Advance Clinical Practitioners, Nurses, Public Health Professionals, Athletic Trainers, and Non-Medical Workers. Work locations included Community and Hospital settings.

This study found that medical education and work location correlated with knowledge and perceptions regarding the epidemiology, severity, and risk factors of S. aureus and MRSA infections.

• Knowledge of staphylococcus infections was based on questions about risks of infection with diabetes, obesity, seawater, pets as well as understanding the seriousness of antibiotic resistance. Obesity and diabetes are well-defined risk factors; however, pets and seawater are probably not related. Correct identification of the risk factors correlated with the respondents’ level of medical training and hospital exposure. Knowledge regarding the seriousness of antibiotic resistance also correlated to hospital exposure.
• Perceptions of the seriousness of staphylococcus infections and whether there has been an increase in MRSA over the past 5 years also correlated with the level of medical education and hospital work. Community workers were much less aware and concerned about the epidemic.
• A paradox was noted in regard to antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among most health care workers. While overuse of antibiotics is clearly documented as a major contributor to the development of antibiotic resistant organisms, the majority of the respondents did not identify it as a significant problem.

The findings of this survey suggest there is a need for more community education among health care workers in the community in regard to staphylococcal infections and the epidemic of MRSA. The need for this is also reinforced by the fact that there are more than 400 people in Hawaii who are at least colonized with staphylococcus or MRSA for every one in the hospital.* The need is great to prevent staphylococci from causing infections and preventing the need for hospitalization.

Suggestions for education in regard to staphylococci included more coverage in schools, media emphasis, and other educational programs. Programs could include infection

prevention and appropriate use of antibiotics as well as indications for early treatment of wounds and cellulitis.

If you have ideas about how to control this epidemic in our community and prevent hospitalizations, please let us know. Hand sanitizers will probably not be enough.

Brandyn Dunn, MPH – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Alan Tice, MD – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Staphylococcus aureus can be recovered from about one third of community as well as hospitalized people. State figures indicate there are 2.3 certified hospital beds for every 1000 people in Oahu. (Kaiser State Health Facts – http://www.statehealthfacts.org)