Hospital Staff MRSA Super Carriers?

Link: Press Release

Another topic that was not openly addressed at the conference is why APIC does not recommend universal screening of healthcare personnel. One issue is the potential legal liability if a patient learns that a physician may have been the source of a serious infection. Furthermore, some Sates have reporting requirements that would necessitate the physician taking work leave until the MRSA were cleared. These self-protective attitudes seem foolhardy when one considers the medical risk an MRSA carrying physician poses to him or herself and to other staff, family and community members. Moreover, it is unreasonable to extend a hospital's reluctance for self-testing to nurses, nursing aids, ward personnel and janitorial support staff. Complacency on this issue may also reflect the usual assumption that only sick patients are really at risk for serious MRSA infections. Unlike earlier strains, today's MRSA generally produce a powerful toxin, termed PVL. Upon inadvertant entry of MRSA into even healthy tissues, this toxin can readily overcome the body's defenses leading to an invasive and occasionally flesh-eating disease. Whether out of ignorance or for other reasons, the emphasis is still being placed on the antibiotic resistance of MRSA, rather than on the more recently acquired capacity for toxin production. Carriage of toxic MRSA is also likely to be a determining factor in the severity of the pneumonia that can complicate influenza, including the anticipated bird flu epidemic.

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Comments

[kelly USA]

I HAVE WORKED IN THE MEDICAL FIELD FOR 22YEARS,AS A NURSE.I HAD A SMALL INFECTION ON MY ARM WITCH I THOUGHT WAS A INSECT BITE, AFTER MONTHS OF ORAL ABX,AND FEEVERS I FINNALY WAS ON MY WAY TO BECOMING SEPTIC,I COULD NOT GET THE MANY DOCRORS TO LISTEN TO ME,I WOULD BEG FOR THEM TO CULTURE THE WOND.BUT NONE WOLUD EVEN CONSIDER THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE THE SUPER BUG.NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS STILL WORKING MY 12+HOUR SHIFTS THROUGHT THIS,WHEN I DROPED AT WORK I WAS ADDMITTED AND THROUGH MANY DAYS OF VANCO IV AND PIC LINE,I WAS SENT HOME ONLY TO HAVE IT REACCURE THE NEXT MONTH,BACK IN HOSPITAL ANOTHER PIC LINE AND ANOTHER MONTH OF ZYVOX.ITS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I HAVE WORKED, NO MOORE OUT BRAKS BUT THE EMOTIONAL AND PHICAL TOLL HAS LEFT ME UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE OUT SIDE WORLD,I HAVE A SUIT AGAINEST MY EMPLOYER BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILTY,I"AM ON THE VERGE OF MENTAL COLLAPES,LOST ALL AND ANY FINANCILA STABILTY AND NOT TO MENTION FRIENDS AND COLLOGIES,.I HOPE AND PRAY THIS DOSE NOT COME BACK,AND HOPE SOME ONE HEARS MY STORY AND PUSH TO MAKE IT MANDTORY TO SCREEN ALL MEDICAL STAFF,BECOUSE THIS CAN HAPPEN TO THEM!