Health district looks for funding to control MRSA.
South Shore Health is looking for a little government help to control its MRSA issues. Over recent months, South Shore Regional Hospital has had two outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on its fourth-floor medical unit. In the fall, as many as 20 cases of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) were confirmed. Earlier this month nine patients were reported to have contracted the bacteria on the same unit. Chief executive officer Alice Leverman said additional funding is required to install more handwashing sinks on the unit and replace some furniture. The bacteria can be spread from direct contact. Therefore, infection control has also reviewed handwashing protocol with staff to ensure proper procedures are being followed. "It"s a variety of pieces that we need to focus on and always, if we have an event like that, the important thing is to review what you"re doing and what you could be doing better to ensure that, to the fullest extent possible, you can prevent that," said Ms Leverman.
