Deadly bacteria like MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, kill more people every year than AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The problem is especially serious because the majority of these infections occur in hospitals and nursing homes, where patients are medically vulnerable. The medical community has struggled to find ways to combat these “superbugs,” but new research has uncovered a great method to fight MRSA and other bacteria.
A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that routine decontamination of hospital patients reduces the chances of MRSA infection by about 40 percent.
More than 40 U.S. hospitals participated in the study, which involved the daily bathing of patients using antiseptic wipes and administering a bacteria-fighting nose swab twice a day. About 70,000 patients were part of this expansive study.
Generally, doctors are delighted by the study’s findings. The process prevents one bloodstream infection for every 54 patients that are decontaminated. Now, researchers must find efficient and cost-effective ways for hospitals and nursing homes to incorporate this process, especially in settings where the patients are particularly vulnerable.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious infection from MRSA or another form of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as C. Difficile, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal options.
McKeen & Associates, PC, is a prominent medical malpractice firm that practices throughout the nation. Based in Detroit, Michigan, McKeen & Associates has the skill and resources to assist patients anywhere in the U.S.
Source: Yakima Herald, “Decontaminating Patients Limits MRSA Infections,” Lindsey Tanner, June 9, 2013