MRSA Transmission in Hotels - Is No Place Safe?

Reducing Risk of MRSA in Hotel Rooms

Because of increased reports of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), sometimes called MERSA, a staph infection that is resistant to most antibiotics, public places such as schools, hospitals, health clubs, and hotels/motels need to take additional precautions in order to protect patrons.

MRSA, which can enter the body through small cuts or wounds, is more deadly than other staph infections. If left untreated, it can cause death within days. For those in the hospitality industry, improving cleaning and decontamination methods are important in order to keep exposure to MRSA to a minimum.

Safety Procedures to Prevent MRSA for Hotel/Motel Staff and Guests

In the past, most hotel/motel housekeeping crews cleaned visible surfaces using a general disinfectant cleaner. Many times, these cleaners contained mild sterilzing and odor controlling chemicals, but not much else. Housekeeping crews cleaned the tops of dressers, bathrooms, and mirrors. They replaced dirty linens, took out the trash, and vacuumed the room.

While these cleaning methods used to be enough to keep people safe, housekeeping crews now need be trained in better cleaning procedures, almost HAZMAT standard in order to maintain sanitary guest accommodations.

These procedures to reduce MRSA infection include:

* Following usage instructions on all cleaning chemicals

* Using cleaning supplies that contain bacteria killing chemicals

* Washing all towels, linens, and bedspreads in hot water with bleach to disinfect

* Rotating towels and other items used for cleaning to prevent spreading bacteria from a dirty surface to a clean one

* Wearing gloves at all times when cleaning rooms, bathrooms, and when removing trash

* Reporting any chemical spills, water damage, and other suspicious incidents to supervisors

* Changing vacuum bags as directed

* Following all procedures included in the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) when handling chemicals

* Update all procedure documentation every six months

* Hold training courses for new staff

When these procedures are followed, the risk of spreading MRSA and other bacterial infections are reduced, yet still just 99.9% effective.

Impact of MRSA and MRSA Infection on the Hospitality Industry

The impact of MRSA on hotels and motels that do not improve their cleaning procedures for MRSA prevention can affect the hospitality industry in many ways. Not only have hotels been closed in the past for not adopting the procedures mentioned above, others have been forced to close permanently because of a lack in public trust.

But MRSA does not only affect guests. It can also affect those working for the hotel. If hotel employees are not given the proper protective clothing including gloves, smock, or uniform, they are at an increased risk of a MRSA infection or bacterial infection. In addition to training housekeeping crews how to properly clean hotel rooms and other areas, safety training is also necessary to prevent spreading the MRSA infection to other employees.

Training for MRSA prevention should include the following:

* Washing hands periodically during the day

* Changing gloves multiple times when cleaning rooms and cleaning public areas such as lobbies, public bathrooms, and restaurant areas (the bacteria can be transferred from gloves to other surfaces easily)

* Covering all wounds and cuts before starting a shift

* Attending to all open wounds immediately to prevent an infection

* Reporting suspicious substances, chemicals, and other items immediately

* Washing uniforms each day after shift is over

Preventing bacterial & MRSA Infection should be a Top Priority

Hotels, motels, and other places that cater to the public need to recognize that preventing bacterial infections like MRSA should be a top priority. By switching to cleaners that kill more bacteria, washing linens and other items in hot water with bleach and disinfectants, and offering frequent training sessions for all employees, cases of MRSA can be greatly reduced in the hospitality industry.

All these precautions are a first line of defense against the killer bacteria but not enough to protect everybody from not getting MRSA infection. The current antibiotics, disinfectants and chlorine products are 99.9% effective against MRSA. The .1% is still causing 18,000 deaths per year. Ninety-nine percent effective just is good enough.

Is there anything to do NOW before more people get a MRSA Infection and die?

Now there really is MRSA prevention. It is a preventative proactive product that kills the MRSA bacteria before they get inside your body. It's a gas called chlorine dioxide (CL02).

It's safe, 100% effective and has been used for over 150 years. A special packet design contains the powder that produces CL02 when moisture is added. It emits small amounts of the gas that kills odors, bacteria, germs and best of all, MRSA. It also kills mold and spores which can be another serious health problem.

This new product doesn't require evacuation of buildings or rooms nor people in HAZMAT suits to apply it. And the cost is considerably less than any HAZMAT treatment or evacuation.

To learn more about killing bacteria, odors, and even the MRSA bacteria for good, keeping your family and you safe from MRSA when you travel, visit Our website.

Debbie McMeyer Visit our OdorXit website.