MRSA Support Group
Staph infections are infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus. They include skin infections, pneumonia, blood poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, and food poisoning. Infection can happen through contact, especially if you have open wounds. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics. If you have been infected with staph, join the group for support and advice.
I am pleased to share a post that I submitted to a nusrsing assistants discussion group. I wish to encouage you all to consider participating in an attempt to eradicate MRSA. You may also wish to review an earlier post that I submitted to this group. The topic was \"Community Testing: A Key to MRSA Eradication.\" It is based on a simple, inexpensive way to test public places for MRSA. A task force is needed to do the testing and increase awareness of the growing MRSA problem. I look forward to your comments and e-mails to s3support@mail.com Kind regards,
W. John Martin, MD, Ph.D. Says:
The issue of testing patients for MRSA upon admission to a hospital has more to deal with inadequate infection control methods than protecting patients privacy. Not testing patients on admission allows for a legal defense of self infection, rather than a hospital acquired infection.
More to the point is why healthcare personnel are not insisting on knowing whether they are MRSA carriers or are working in a MRSA contaminated workspace. In some surveys, up to 9% of healthcare providers are now MRSA carriers. Quite apart from an ethical responsibility for patients, such carriers are a major risk for themselves, family members and other individuals within the community. No longer are sick people solely at risk for MRSA. The emerging strains are a growing menace to otherwise healthy individuals; including those participating in contact sports, young children engaging in rough and tumble playground activities, and everyone in whom there is a breach of the normal barrier function of the skin or respiratory tract.
Concerning workplace safety, it is unfair to the staff that patients and hospital environmental areas are not routinely screened for MRSA. Many infection control personnel believe they are actually prohibited from doing so by CDC and JCAHO guidelines. Certainly they are being discouraged by hospital administrators.
MRSA testing plates cost only a few dollars and should be widely employed in hospitals and other public places. Indeed, such plates could be used to spearhead a long overdue national MRSA eradication program. Unless such action is taken, it is predicted that MRSA mortality may well surpass that of AIDS. Volunteers from around the country are needed to help screen community areas for MRSA and to report results to those responsible for cleansing the areas. For additional information please refer to www.s3support.com or send an emial to s3support@mail.com Kind regards, W. John Martin, M.D., Ph.D. Institute of Progressive Medicine ( a non-profit public charity).
12/28/2006 @ 4:59 pm
W. John Martin, MD, Ph.D. Says:
The issue of testing patients for MRSA upon admission to a hospital has more to deal with inadequate infection control methods than protecting patients privacy. Not testing patients on admission allows for a legal defense of self infection, rather than a hospital acquired infection.
More to the point is why healthcare personnel are not insisting on knowing whether they are MRSA carriers or are working in a MRSA contaminated workspace. In some surveys, up to 9% of healthcare providers are now MRSA carriers. Quite apart from an ethical responsibility for patients, such carriers are a major risk for themselves, family members and other individuals within the community. No longer are sick people solely at risk for MRSA. The emerging strains are a growing menace to otherwise healthy individuals; including those participating in contact sports, young children engaging in rough and tumble playground activities, and everyone in whom there is a breach of the normal barrier function of the skin or respiratory tract.
Concerning workplace safety, it is unfair to the staff that patients and hospital environmental areas are not routinely screened for MRSA. Many infection control personnel believe they are actually prohibited from doing so by CDC and JCAHO guidelines. Certainly they are being discouraged by hospital administrators.
MRSA testing plates cost only a few dollars and should be widely employed in hospitals and other public places. Indeed, such plates could be used to spearhead a long overdue national MRSA eradication program. Unless such action is taken, it is predicted that MRSA mortality may well surpass that of AIDS. Volunteers from around the country are needed to help screen community areas for MRSA and to report results to those responsible for cleansing the areas. For additional information please refer to www.s3support.com or send an emial to s3support@mail.com Kind regards, W. John Martin, M.D., Ph.D. Institute of Progressive Medicine ( a non-profit public charity).
12/28/2006 @ 4:59 pm
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I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
I\'m scheduled for heart bypass surgery soon and I would feel much more secure knowing every provider (as well as I) will be tested.
If I can help in your efforts in any way, please contact me --- jbarnett@wfubmc.edu .