MRSA Infections in Hospital ICUs on the Decline, Health Officials Say; But Other Areas Still At Risk

The rate of certain life-threatening infections linked to an aggressively drug-resistant strain of staph germ in hospital intensive-care units has dropped dramatically in the past decade, according to a new government health report.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA), a so-called “superbug” which is highly drug-resistant and cannot be treated with most types of antibiotics, is to blame for more than 90,000 serious infections and about 18,000 deaths in the United States each year.

The new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addressed a decline in MRSA infections transmitted through IV catheters, but MRSA bacteria may also be spread by dirty surfaces or instruments in hospital rooms or by improper hand washing by doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.

Health officials said increased awareness of MRSA and efforts to improve sanitary conditions in hospital intensive-care units and sterilization of surgical instruments may have contributed to the dramatic drop in such infections.

50 Percent Drop In MRSA Infections

Nearly 600 hospitals across the U.S. participated in the report, which found that MRSA bloodstream infections linked to IV catheters fell nearly 50 percent from 1997 to 2007. In 1997, there were approximately 43 MRSA infections for every 100,000 intensive-care patients who spent a day hooked up to one of the these IV tubes. However, by 2007, that number had dropped to just 21 cases, the report said.

MRSA Is Down in Hospitals, But Up Elsewhere

While the rate of MRSA infections is said to be down in hospital settings, the infections are more common in schools, gym locker rooms, and other community settings where people are in close physical contact. Recent MRSA outbreaks have been reported among high school and college football teams, inmates in jails and prisons, military personnel, and other groups.

However, national health safety officials were nonetheless pleased with the drop in certain types of MRSA infections in hospital ICUs, since hospitalized patients are generally in weakened health and less able to fight off a MRSA infection.

Parents, Students, Officials Must Be Vigilant Against MRSA

While word that the rate of MRSA infections has in some circumstances dropped among patients in hospital ICUs, the increase in the deadly infections in schools and other community settings is troubling. Playgrounds, gymnasiums, and other areas have had outbreaks of MRSA, exposing children to a life-threatening infection. Strides to reduce hospital ICU-based infections should be applauded, but great care must be taken to improve the safety of our schools and other community settings where the instance of MRSA infections is on the rise.

No related posts.