MRSA Forum Planned at Williamstown Commons
WILLIAMSTOWN – Berkshire Healthcare Systems is hosting "Understanding MRSA and Other Infectious Diseases: Treatment and Infection Control" on Thursday, April 17, at Williamstown Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 25 Adams Road.The free educational seminar will run from 5 to 6 p.m.; complimentary food and refreshments, beginning at 4:30.
Dr. Paula Aucoin, medical director of infection control at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, and Karen Benzie, a registered nurse and director of quality and infection control at BMC, will offer the presentation and also take questions from the audience.
The event has been approved for 1.25 contact hours (CEU) for nurses.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, has been sometimes referred to as a "super bug." It has drawn a great deal of attention over the past couple years, with outbreaks in public and health care facilities throughout the nation.
While most of the infections are not serious, some have proven to be life-threatening and fatal. MRSA's constant adaptations have been a challenge for researchers trying to find new antibiotics that are effective against the bacterium.
Those who work and spend time in any public facility, such as schools, government buildings, fitness and health care facilities and others, are encouraged to attend.
"We hope that this will be a very informative event that will give our community health-care professionals, and really so many others, the tools to prevent the spread of MRSA and other infectious diseases," said Joyce Brewer, administrator of Williamstown Commons. "Education is the best defense for a healthy community."
Call Judy Bombardier at 413-458-2111 to reserve a spot, as space may be limited.
