The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Rebel Athletic Trainers Fight Staph Infections
11/7/2007 | Athletics
Staph infections have rumbled through the headlines of late and generated some concern for crisis. More than 90,000 Americans contract potentially deadly drug-resistant staph infections each year, and experts have speculated that related deaths may one day surpass the number of deaths caused by AIDS.
The subject of staph is particularly prominent in contact sports, and Ole Miss is taking the proper precautions to contain it among its student-athletes.
"It's one of the biggest issues athletic trainers currently face," said Shannon Singletary, Ole Miss senior associate athletics director for sports medicine/strength & conditioning. "We feel defenseless against it. We can't stop it. We try to limit it."
Singletary said the Ole Miss athletic training staff has had a prevention plan in place for four years for staph infections.
"We have a very specific, consistent protocol that goes through the same physician, Jeff Dennis M.D., in hopes of keeping the bacteria from becoming resistant to the affects of the antibiotic," he said.
According to Singletary, Ole Miss' plan begins with awareness and education among student-athletes, and reminders and messages are posted throughout the athletics facilities. Hand-washing and hygiene are stressed, and the athletes are deterred from sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
For the Rebel athletic trainers, all cuts and bug bites are reported, and wounds are cleaned, cultured and drained. Reports are sent to Dennis, the appointed medical director for Ole Miss athletics, who prescribes any necessary antibiotics.
All medical tables are sprayed with disinfectant, and as a relatively new procedure, phenilize foggers are set off in all lockerroms and training rooms to exterminate any bacteria.
Athletics equipment, such as helmets and pads, are routinely sterilized, and uniforms and gear are washed with a bacteria-killing detergent. With student-athletes suspected of possible infection, their clothes are handled separately.
Ole Miss head athletic trainer Tim Mullins said the athletes have become as concerned about staph infections as the medical staff.
"Staph infection is an illness that the student-athletes are starting to understand the danger that it can present," said Mullins. "The athlete is concerned not only about their individual health but also the loss of athletic competition that it can cause.
"The biggest keys to preventing staph infection from getting out of hand, is to educate the athletes on the signs and symptoms and a rapid response treatment to the problem as it arises."