2008 News
March 27, 2008
U.S. District Court Approves MRSA Class Action Settlement Regarding Bucks County Correctional Facility (BCCF)
On Wednesday, March 26, 2008, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania approved a settlement agreement in a five-and-a-half-year-old class action lawsuit against the County of Bucks and the Bucks County Correctional Facility (BCCF). The agreement supports the county’s continuing investment in improving the correctional environment, including several advanced sanitation measures, many of which were implemented by the county several years ago to limit the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (or MRSA). These include health education for inmates, new laundry procedures, modified bunking arrangements, and screening and aftercare for MRSA-infected inmates.
The agreement provides for monitoring by experts in forensic sanitation and infectious diseases to evaluate the correctional environment and health care services provided to the inmate population.
On September 19, 2002, several inmates filed the suit, alleging they were denied proper medical care in the treatment of MRSA infections and that the unsanitary conditions of the BCCF furthered the spread of this infection.
After four years of litigation, the parties resolved the case through the settlement agreement. In 2003, the county retained consultants to monitor the sanitation of the facility and make recommendations, which the county adopted.
In both 2005 and 2007, the BCCF received a 100-percent compliance certificate as the result of inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Furthermore, the Bucks County Department of Corrections inmate healthcare program has achieved accreditation from the NCCHC since 1985.
Notice of the settlement agreement and its details were posted in the BCCF, allowing over 1,700 inmates the opportunity to review the notice and file an objection with the court.Only two individuals filed objections. After a March 26, 2008 hearing, the court found that the settlement agreement was fair, reasonable, and adequate.
“We know that the medical and correctional staff of our Department of Corrections and Department of Health is deeply committed to the security, health, well-being and rehabilitation of our inmates,” noted Board of Commissioners Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. “The settlement agreement we entered into underscores that commitment.”
INFORMATION ABOUT MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems (see healthcare-associated MRSA).
MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.
To prevent infections:
- Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Keep your cuts and scrapes clean and cover them with bandages
- Do not touch other people's cuts or bandages
- Do not share personal items like towels or razors
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/ar/MRSAPatientInfoSheet.pdf