What is a MRSA Infection?
MRSA Infection, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacterial infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These resistant antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and oxacillin. Most MRSA infections are skin infections. See, CDC Definition of MRSA Infection.
MRSA Infection Statistics
Encouraging results from a CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that invasive (life-threatening) MRSA infections in healthcare settings are declining. Invasive MRSA infections that began in hospitals declined 28% from 2005 through 2008. Decreases in infection rates were even bigger for patients with bloodstream infections. In addition, the study showed a 17% drop in invasive MRSA infections that were diagnosed before hospital admissions (community onset) in people with recent exposures to healthcare settings.
This study (or report) complements data from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) that found rates of MRSA bloodstream infections occurring in hospitalized patients fell nearly 50% from 1997 to 2007.
MRSA Can Lead to Many Health Problems
According to the CDC, in healthcare facilities, such as a hospital or nursing home, MRSA can cause severe problems including:
- bloodstream infections
- pneumonia
- surgical site infections
- sepsis
- death
MRSA is usually spread by direct contact with an infected wound or from contaminated hands, usually those of healthcare providers. Also, people who carry MRSA but do not have signs of infection can spread the bacteria to others (i.e., people who are colonized).
Contact an Experienced Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from Staph, C Diff, MRSA Infection, VRE, CRE or any other infectious disease or other neglect or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota please contact Attorney Kenneth L. LaBore, directly please send an email to KLaBore@mnnursinghomeneglect.com, or call Ken at 612-743-9048 or call him at his direct toll-free number 1-888-452-6589.
Disclaimer