Study: Simple changes can help prevent MRSA

Benson, N.C. — A study released Tuesday shows the deadly MRSA bacterial infection can help be prevented by simple social and behavioral changes.

Those changes, which include rigorous hand hygiene, better access to gowns and protective wear, proper disposal of used gowns and protective wear and more education, reduced infections by up to 62 percent, according to results of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis.

The CDC says nearly 100,000 people develop infections from MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, every year. Approximately 19,000 die as a result. More than 85 percent of the infections are associated with time spent in health-care facilities.

The other good news from the study was that six hospitals participating in it saw increased responsiveness of infections to antibiotics, signifying that hospitals can make headway in the fight against drug-resistant "superbugs"

The study also showed that it is critical to test patients for MRSA when they are admitted and discharged.

Nationally, studies show that the rate of all hospital-acquired infections, such as MRSA, are down. Locally, it is unclear, because North Carolina is one of 24 states that do not require hospitals to report or make that information public.

There is proposed legislation that would require the information to be made public.

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Write your elected official and demand that this information be made public. We deserve the right to make choices as to where we are hospitalized!

rushbot
March 26, 2009 4:25 p.m.

Ok this is a dangerous infection and I would like to know why it is not public information in NC. Is it like some big secret how many cases we have or is there a problem in the healthcare system?

xchief661
March 24, 2009 2:06 p.m.

My hubby suffered a month long ordeal after a scratch got infected last year....mrsa....it ain't NO joke. And, for the record, I am a clean freak.....I love lysol, and bleach is my best friend. We have no idea where he picked up the bacteria, but it was not easy to remedy, and was very costly. It also made him physically sick. I can say that hospitals are not the only place to have concern about this.

familyfour
March 24, 2009 12:30 p.m.

"Locally, it is unclear, because North Carolina is one of 24 states that do not require hospitals to report or make that information public."

Let me guess, most of those 24 states are in the South. Get into the 21st century!

scientistjo
March 24, 2009 11:34 a.m.

This is really important, my friend just found out he had mrsa last week from a cut he had on his finger. Everyone should have some knowledge on this.