As a staff nurse in an acute care setting, I really appreciated the article, "Community-Associated MRSA: New Guidelines for a New Age" (September 2006). A primary care provider needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms of CA-MRSA to provide early intervention and prevention of MRSA bacteremia, pneumonia, sepsis, or even death. Not only is this important for primary care providers, I believe that this information is extremely important to the public. Communities, especially sports teams, need to be aware of this bacteria and ways to prevent its spreading. Educating coaches, physical trainers, and athletes should be a part of orientation to the team. Nurse practitioners can step into the community and offer teaching at local schools or colleges to athletes that are at high risk for contracting this infection. Education is a powerful tool to decrease the infection rate of CA-MRSA.

Casey Ball, RN

Graduate Nursing Student, University of Missouri-Columbia