ICUs see big drop in dangerous staph superbugs (AP/Boston.com)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Lindsey Tanner
AP Medical Writer / February 17, 2009

CHICAGO—A government report says the rate of dangerous staph infections has dropped dramatically in hospital intensive-care units, a rare encouraging sign about a hard-to-treat "superbug." The report involving nearly 600 hospitals is the largest to document a long-term decline in the level of IV tube-related infections of MRSA, a deadly drug-resistant staph germ.

The rate of MRSA bloodstream infections connected with intravenous tubes fell almost 50 percent between 1997 and 2007. The decline occurred at most types of intensive care units that reported these infections to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the study period.

"We may actually be starting to get a toehold on" these dangerous germs, said Dr. Buddy Creech, a Vanderbilt University infectious disease specialist who was not involved in the research. "That's encouraging."

In 1997, there were an estimated 43 MRSA infections for every 100,000 intensive-care patients who spent a day hooked up to one of the these IV tubes. By 2007, that number dropped to just 21.

The study authors say the results are likely a sign that doctors and nurses are working harder at prevention efforts. These include frequent hand-washing, instrument sterilization and other measures.
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more: http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/02/17/icus_see_big_drop_in_dangerous_staph_superbugs/

[xchrom]

1. because status quo 'health' is so incompetent and doesn't care. nt

[uppityperson]

2. MRSA is dropping because "status quo health is so incompetent and doesn't care"? What?

There is more being done to prevent passing on infections, and this is because "'health' is so incompetent and doesn't care"? Wtf?

[xchrom]

3. i should have used the sarcasm smilie.

i always think my views on subjects like this are well known.

[uppityperson]

4. thank you, slow here.

It surprised me because I thought I knew your view on subjects like this. thank you.

[xchrom]

5. oh yeah -- but -- my bad -- thanks for the response. nt