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# Antibiotic Resistant Staph: A Threat to Home HealthCare Providers
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/110820090304_antibiotic_resistant_staph_a_threat_to_home_healthc/
- Published: 2009-08-11T15:04:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T12:25:17.000Z
- Description: Archives of Internal Medicine reports 191 of 1,501 patients screened on leaving hospital carried methicillin-resistant staph, and 36 picked it up during follow-up. Home caregivers face the greatest risk, since staph spreads by skin contact and through used bandages and towels.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, Antiobiotics, #vivvo-import

By Rachel Stockton ([rachels@foodconsumer.org](mailto: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.