foodconsumer.org: Antibiotic Resistant Staph: A Threat to Home HealthCare Providers

Antibiotic Resistant Staph: A Threat to Home HealthCare Providers
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admin on 08/11/2009 19:04:00
 
By Rachel Stockton (rachels@foodconsumer.org)
The latest information regarding staph infections that are resistant to
antibiotics sounds like it came straight out of a Robin Cook-esque nightmare. 
Patients often leave the hospital carrying the bacteria, even if they are not
sick themselves.
Health care providers are the most at risk after a patient brings
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA) home.  According to the journal
Archives of Internal Medicine, 191 out of 1501 patients who were screened
leaving the hospital actually carried the infection out the double doors with
them.  36 of the patients acquired the infection during the follow up period.
While most staph infections manifest themselves as boils or pustules, serious
blood and lung infections as well as post-surgery infection can occur, rendering
the patients health severely compromised.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), staph is spread through skin
to skin contact, or skin contact with used bandages and towels used by an
infected patient.  In order for staph to "flourish", caregivers need to beware
of the 5 Cs that are conducive to an outbreak:  crowding, frequent skin to skin
contact, compromised skin (lesions, cuts, abrasions), contaminated surfaces and
a general lack of cleanliness.
Caregivers need to be aware of the infection so they may set in place prevention
methods within the household.  Frequent hand washing, as well as frequently
washing laundry and drying it thoroughly in a hot dryer can go a long way in
keeping the infection contained.
While most staph infections are acquired in a hospital setting, the CDC is now
reporting that 12% of all cases of staph are community associated, clearly
suggesting that home health workers are at a greater risk of developing the
infection.