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Court Services Division Manual / Volume 2 - Lockup / Chapter 5 - Medical Care/Screening

2-05/010.25 Guidelines for Limiting the Trasmission of Methicillin Resistant Staphylcoccus Aureus (MRSA)


2-05/010.20 Decontamination
2-05/015.00 Medical Segregation/Isolation

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that can be spread within institutional facilities, such as the Los Angeles County Jails. Since MRSA can be spread rapidly via direct person to person contact and/or sharing of personal items (such as towels, sheets, razors, etc.) it is important for personnel to understand its communicable nature. The following guidelines will assist personnel in preventing and reducing the transmission of MRSA to employees, family members, and inmates.

Personnel should understand that frequent hand-washing with soap and water and the use of hand sanitizers are essential infection control components. Personnel should wash their hands with soap and warm water:

  • After using the rest room
  • After working out at the gym
  • After contact with inmates
  • After searching inmate housing areas (even if gloves were used)
  • Prior to starting a break
  • Prior to eating
  • Prior to leaving the facility

Personnel shall ensure that soap is available for use by inmates.

Personnel should always cover open sores or cuts with a suitable bandage to protect against the collection or release of bacteria.

If an inmate reports any skin-related symptoms suggestive of infection with MRSA (“boil”, pain, redness, swelling or warmth on the skin), or if personnel suspects that the inmate has any of these symptoms, the inmate will be referred to the nearest clinic in the inmate’s housing area.

Per the Manual of Policy and Procedures personnel who believe they have become infected with MRSA shall report the circumstances to his/her supervisor as soon as possible. All other procedures regarding the injury/illness shall be followed in compliance with Department and Divisional policies and procedure.

Decontamination of an area that has come into contact with MRSA must be thoroughly cleaned. Personnel shall ensure that the cell is thoroughly cleaned with an EPA approved antimicrobial cleaner. Personnel shall exercise caution when handling caustic chemicals. The areas cleaned shall include the sinks, toilets, walls, floors, handcuffs and four-man chains, as MRSA can live on metal for 24 hours.

Other supporting information can be found in the Custody Division Manual and by viewing a training video at:

(Copy and Paste to browser) http://intranet.lasd.sheriff.sdn/intranet/announcements/training/MRSA.html