C. Control Measures 1. Blocking its transmission Eradicating it from existing reservoirs, or Both 2. Personnel Removal of MRSA from the hands by soaps and antiseptics is considered the cornerstone of infection control. Washing with ordinary detergent soap and water has been effective in removing MRSA in certain instances. However, several studies have shown that after a 7 to 10 second hand wash with a non antimicrobial soap, the number of microbes that could be transmitted from the hands increased significantly due to increased shedding of bacteria laden skin squamous cells.
Antiseptic soaps are more effective than plain detergent soaps for removing microbes from the hands.
Numerous studies have confirmed the association between the use of soaps containing antiseptic agents and a reduction in nosocomial infections. However, the optimal antiseptic agent for MRSA is not clear. Some strains of MRSA may be resistant to antiseptics. Povidone iodine and chlorhexidine are commonly used antiseptics that are active against methicillin susceptible Staph. The susceptibility of both MRSA and methicillin susceptible Staph.