Staph Infections
The most common hospital-acquired infection is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, pronounced “mur-SAH”). Commonly known as a “staph infection,” MRSA has ballooned from 2,000 reported cases in 1993 to 880,000 in 2007, about 2.5% of all hospitalized patients.
MRSA lives on surfaces of all kinds — skin, clothing (like uniforms and hospital drapes), hospital furniture, medical instruments and equipment. It spreads when one contaminated surface contacts another.
About 85% of MRSA infections are contracted from a hospital or other health care facility. Two-thirds of these cases are discovered after the patient returns home. Patients with open wounds, invasive devices like a ventilator or catheter, and weakened immune systems are at greatest risk, especially those age 65 and older.
MRSA is dangerous because it is increasingly resistant to common antibiotics, and typically requires aggressive antibiotic treatment.
You can help prevent a MRSA infection in someone you love by following this common-sense checklist.
The best defense is proper hand-washing combined with anti-bacterial sanitizers and other products. All advocates and patients should insist on a MRSA screening test before being admitted to the hospital — and upon discharge too. (In the ideal world, it would be great if every older or high-risk adult was screened during routine annual check-ups too — right along with annual cholesterol tests and mammograms.)
The solution? Simple Checklists!
Every patient needs someone with them in the hospital to be their "quarterback for care" -- but very few of us are prepared.
Download CampaignZERO's.
free e-book of checklists to help you learn...- What to look for
- What to do
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