Officials hope a solution added to the showers used by all new inmates at the Butler County Prison will help control MRSA within the facility.

County commissioners voted 2-1 at their Wednesday meeting to approve the addition of the solution meant to kill MRSA and other dangerous bacteria on the skin. Commissioner Kevin Boozel's dissenting vote stemmed from concerns over potential side-effects of the solution.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes a staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Beau Sneddon, deputy warden at the jail, said the solution would be used on new inmates in a single application during their initial shower routine, but would not be used in the jail population's daily showers.

The equipment to administer the solution would cost $1, and the solution itself about $1,800 per year, Sneddon said.

Boozel said he researched the solution and learned there are possible side effects, including anaphylactic shock, which is a severe allergic reaction in which the blood pressure drops and airways narrow.

“Do we have the ability to respond for those people?” Boozel asked.

He warned new inmates should be alerted about the solution being used, and training should be provided to jail personnel for severe reactions.

Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, said the solution was approved Tuesday by the county prison board of directors.

She said the same solution was given to her after knee surgery, when she was unable to shower.

“It decolonizes bacteria on the skin,” Osche said.

Boozel, however, pointed out the solution Osche received for use after surgery was not used above the jaw line.

“There's a reason for that,” Boozel said.

Sneddon said the solution to be used at the jail is greatly diluted compared to the solution given to surgical patients.

But Osche said the prison board has the blessing of the health system regarding the use of the solution to control MRSA.

“This is a cautionary measure, and we should do anything we can to prevent MRSA issues to protect our staff, primarily,” Osche said.

She added the cost to the county of treating a case of MRSA can be high.

Sneddon did not know how many cases of MRSA the jail has experienced because outbreak frequency fluctuates.

“It comes in trends, but we've had some pretty substantial and serious cases over the years,” he said.

He noted most cases were treated at the jail's medical facility, while some cases were sent to Butler Memorial Hospital.

Sneddon told Boozel that Mercer County Jail uses the solution on every inmate entering the jail, and has done so for the past five years. He said there haven't been any adverse reactions to date.

“All of those things will have to be added to the policy and addressed specifically, which we will do,” Sneddon said of training for reactions to the solution.

Boozel pointed out how many inmates have not yet been found guilty of a crime, and should be informed that the solution is being used on them.

“There has to be consent,” Boozel said.

Sneddon replied that a lice solution is currently used on all new inmates without notification.

Osche said the dispenser is outside of the shower and not accessible to inmates.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said MRSA infections can last for months and be very difficult to eradicate because of resistance to treatment with antibiotics.

“We have an obligation to our staff and employees to keep them in a safe environment and in safe working conditions,” Geyer said. “We also have an obligation to our taxpayers to ensure we have taken measures to protect our facility.”

Boozel voted against the move, with Geyer and Osche voting in favor.

Sneddon said the program will begin as soon as the equipment arrives from Romaine Companies, which is in Hopkinsville, Ky.