Guarding Against MRSA

Over the past several years, the number of documented cases of Community-acquired Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in otherwise healthy people has been steadily on the rise. Many of these infections have occurred among the following groups:

• Athletes who share equipment
• Those sharing personal items, such as razors and towels
• Children in day care facilities

Symptoms of CA-MRSA can include the following:

• Cellulitis
• Endocarditis
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Pneumonia
• Blood poisoning
• Organ failure
• Death

Due to the increase in outbreaks, many schools are beginning to ask the question, “What preventative measures can be taken to guard against CA-MRSA?” According to Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., chairman of the New York City-based Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (DID), the spread of these infections is preventable “through rigorous hygiene and cleanliness.”

How can this be achieved on a large scale? Although using a standard hot water pressure washer might seem like a possible solution, it is highly impractical. The large volume of wastewater would be reason enough not to entertain this solution.

An excellent solution would be the use of a high-pressure dry steam and chemical solution for sanitizing your facility. Dry steam is sometimes defined as steam whose moisture content is so low that it evaporates instantly. In a typical steam boiler, the temperature of the steam is 328°F when the pressure inside the boiler is 85 psi. With the use of the Electro-Steam Generator, at these conditions, water is converted into dry steam inside the generator. Prior to the steam being dispensed, it mixes with the chemical solution at the tip of the dispensing wand. 2/3 of this steam and chemical solution evaporates immediately due to its high temperature. Under these conditions, timed tests have shown that approximately 20 ft²/minute of metal surface can be cleaned and sanitized with the Electro-Steam Generator.

By using one of Electro-Steam’s mobile units, your applications are limitless, ranging from showers and restroom facilities, athletic equipment, cafeteria tables and chairs, and any surface that could be harboring CA-MRSA.

The Electro-Steam Generator Corporation will be glad to customize a unit that would best suit your facility’s needs.