This program has been in place in the adult wards, but now children admitted to the pediatric wards at John’s Hopkins will be screened for MRSA and VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci). They conducted a study that reinforced the idea:
In a study of 330 patients that lasted four months, weekly testing found 54 percent of patients carrying potentially harmful MRSA bacteria. Standard testing after symptoms appeared missed 35 percent of the people carrying the bugs.
“The results were quite clear to us: Aggressive patient safety programs should consider testing on admission as standard practice,” said hospital epidemiologist Dr. Trish Perl. However, she said that large-scale studies would be needed before making the practice standard around the nation. Source
Hopefully this WILL be the start of nation wide MRSA testing upon admission to hospitals. Normally patients are only tested after they have symptoms, and look at the mess we have. How wonderful this would be to really start getting a grip on the HA-MRSA (and other superbug) problems!
Johns Hopkins also offers this advice for infection prevention to incoming patients:
* Be aware that hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds.
* Practice good personal hygiene.
* Let your nurse know if your gown or linens are soiled.
* Feel free to remind staff members to wash their hands or wear gloves before examining you or giving you your medicine.
* Ask friends and relatives who have colds, respiratory symptoms or other contagious illnesses not to visit you or anyone in the hospital.
* Get vaccinated, if it is recommended. Flu and pneumonia vaccines can help prevent illnesses, particularly in young children, the elderly, and high-risk patients.
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2 responses so far ↓
ghartwel // Oct 2, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Who are you billing for the admission testing?
Medifix // Feb 6, 2008 at 4:14 am
This is what we have been preaching for almost a decade. These bacteria are normal commensal and often live on the skin of healthy adults and children. These bacteria do not know how to get into the body and bloodstream.
Serious bloodstream infection occurs if the carrier of these bacteria sustains an injury. Doctors and nurses are siad not clean the skin and their hands properly can introduce the bacteria when performing practical procedures (injection site, cannulae & catheters).
John Hopkins must now organize research and tell us how many children found to be carriers went on to develop systemic infection. This will give us some important useful information.
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