title: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an emerging concern for physical therapists: discussion.
abstract: The Centers for Disease Control has identified community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) as an emerging worldwide public health risk. Healthcare professionals such as physical therapists can play an important role in the early detection, prevention and management of CA-MRSA. This discussion paper is a narrative overview of CA-MRSA's prevalence in at-risk groups, the distinguishing characteristics of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and CA-MRSA infections, and treatments for HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. Using the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice as a framework, this paper describes physical therapists' role in the detection, prevention and management of CA-MRSA infections and their role in community education about CA-MRSA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline Mall, Room 1026, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. levenhkm@slu.edu
authors.forename: Kim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Levenhagen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D010819:Physician's Role; D015995:Prevalence; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity