CONTEXT: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly common in athletic settings. The MRSA knowledge and infection-control practices of certified athletic trainers (ATs) and the cleanliness of the athletic training room are important factors in preventing MRSA infections. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of MRSA and the use of common disinfectants among ATs and to explore their infection-control practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: High school and collegiate athletic training rooms. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 163 ATs from National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III and high schools, representing all 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequencies, analyses of variance, and χ(2) tests were used to assess current practices and opinions and relationships between factors. RESULTS: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was perceived as a national problem by 92% of respondents; 57% perceived MRSA as a problem in their practice setting. Most respondents had treated general infections (88%), staphylococcal infections (75%), and MRSA infections (57%). Male sex was associated with treating all 3 types of infections (χ(2) test, P < .05). Noncurriculum education was associated with a lack of recognition of environmental issues as risk factors and with the use of isopropyl alcohol for disinfection (χ(2) test, P < .05). For example, 10% of respondents did not recognize that contaminated whirlpools can be a source of MRSA infection. Respondents also incorrectly identified effective cleaning solutions. Thirty percent of respondents cleaned their hands frequently or sometimes before treating each athlete and 35% cleaned their hands sometimes, occasionally, or never after seeing each athlete. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of ATs were informed about MRSA and made correct disinfection choices. However, improvements are still needed, and not all ATs were using proper disinfection practices.
CONTEXT: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly common in athletic settings. The MRSA knowledge and infection-control practices of certified athletic trainers (ATs) and the cleanliness of the athletic training room are important factors in preventing MRSA infections. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge of MRSA and the use of common disinfectants among ATs and to explore their infection-control practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: High school and collegiate athletic training rooms. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 163 ATs from National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III and high schools, representing all 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequencies, analyses of variance, and χ(2) tests were used to assess current practices and opinions and relationships between factors. RESULTS: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was perceived as a national problem by 92% of respondents; 57% perceived MRSA as a problem in their practice setting. Most respondents had treated general infections (88%), staphylococcal infections (75%), and MRSA infections (57%). Male sex was associated with treating all 3 types of infections (χ(2) test, P < .05). Noncurriculum education was associated with a lack of recognition of environmental issues as risk factors and with the use of isopropyl alcohol for disinfection (χ(2) test, P < .05). For example, 10% of respondents did not recognize that contaminated whirlpools can be a source of MRSA infection. Respondents also incorrectly identified effective cleaning solutions. Thirty percent of respondents cleaned their hands frequently or sometimes before treating each athlete and 35% cleaned their hands sometimes, occasionally, or never after seeing each athlete. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of ATs were informed about MRSA and made correct disinfection choices. However, improvements are still needed, and not all ATs were using proper disinfection practices.
Authors: D E Redziniak; D R Diduch; K Turman; J Hart; T L Grindstaff; J M MacKnight; D J Mistry Journal: Int J Sports Med Date: 2009-05-25 Impact factor: 3.118
Authors: Sophia V Kazakova; Jeffrey C Hageman; Matthew Matava; Arjun Srinivasan; Larry Phelan; Bernard Garfinkel; Thomas Boo; Sigrid McAllister; Jim Anderson; Bette Jensen; Doug Dodson; David Lonsway; Linda K McDougal; Matthew Arduino; Victoria J Fraser; George Killgore; Fred C Tenover; Sara Cody; Daniel B Jernigan Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2005-02-03 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Alison R Snyder; John T Parsons; Tamara C Valovich McLeod; R Curtis Bay; Lori A Michener; Eric L Sauers Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2008 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: R Monina Klevens; Melissa A Morrison; Joelle Nadle; Susan Petit; Ken Gershman; Susan Ray; Lee H Harrison; Ruth Lynfield; Ghinwa Dumyati; John M Townes; Allen S Craig; Elizabeth R Zell; Gregory E Fosheim; Linda K McDougal; Roberta B Carey; Scott K Fridkin Journal: JAMA Date: 2007-10-17 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Elizabeth M Begier; Kasia Frenette; Nancy L Barrett; Pat Mshar; Susan Petit; Dave J Boxrud; Kellie Watkins-Colwell; Sheila Wheeler; Elizabeth A Cebelinski; Anita Glennen; Dao Nguyen; James L Hadler Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2004-10-26 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Mark W LaBelle; Derrick M Knapik; James W Arbogast; Steve Zhou; Lisa Bowersock; Albert Parker; James E Voos Journal: Sports Health Date: 2019-10-29 Impact factor: 3.843