Oct 30, 2007 9:23 pm US/Eastern
Taking Steps To Contain Deadly Strain Of Staph
MARYLAND (WJZ) ―
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Lawmakers say it's time to take action against MRSA. (File)
KDKA
It's time to take action against MRSA.
Dennis Edwards reports lawmakers from Maryland to the Midwest are taking new steps to contain the deadly, drug-resistant strain of staph infection.
Chicago area hospitals are testing each patient admitted for MRSA. It's an idea Maryland lawmakers have been pushing for a while, but some doctors say the problem lies with hospitals, not the patients.
Patients admitted to Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago will soon get a nasal swab.
Loyola and Chicago's Evanston Northwestern Healthcare are screening for the aggressive superbug MRSA. They believe that's the best way to keep the drug resistant strain of staph from spreading.
"This was really a patient safety issue, not a cost issue. It is just the right thing to do," said Dr. Paul Whelton from Loyola University Medical Center.
After dozens of cases of staph swept through Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Baltimore and Howard County schools, Maryland lawmakers would like to force hospitals to do the same thing.
"Identify who has the problem and then isolate those who do," said Whelton.
Dr.Beilensen is Howard County's health officer.
He questions whether testing every incoming hospital patient is cost effective, especially since most patients get MRSA while in the hospital.
It then spreads to the general population.
Beilensen believes the secret to preventing the spread of the superbug rests with hospital staffs.
There have been several attempts by the Maryland legislature to pass legislation that would force hospitals to test for MRSA. So far none have succeeded.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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