Staph Superbug Infests Hospitals

A dangerous, drug-resistant staph germ may be infecting as many as 5 percent of hospital and nursing home patients.  According to a survey by Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, at least 300,000 U.S. hospital patients may have the superbug at any given time.  The bug is called: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is not susceptible to common antibiotics.  This infection can lead to skin infections (“flesh-eating”) and other illnesses and is potentially fatal.  The most alarming aspect is that it can be spread by touch and has been known broken out in communities like prisoners, children and athletes (called, “community-associated spread”).  The settings with the highest risk are those where people have open wounds. (AP – June 25, 2007)

Patient Safety