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New MRSA Swab Test
Week of February 18 - It’s a quick and simple test. But it could one day prevent the spread of MRSA or drug-resistant staph infections in hospitals. Dr. David Winter tells us more in tonight’s HealthSource report.
DR. WINTER
A little cotton swab may be the newest weapon in the fight against the spread of drug-resistant staph infections.
DR. WILLIAM SUTKER
Chief of Infectious Diseases
Baylor University Medical Center
“We’re able to do a rapid test and know within a few hours whether you have MRSA in your nose.”
DR. WINTER
This is one of a handful of hospitals across the country getting proactive…
DR. WILLIAM SUTKER
“As part of a national initiative we have begun a pilot study at Baylor University Medical Center screening high-risk patients in ICU.”
DR. WINTER
Experts say the problem is just how many people walk through hospital doors carrying MRSA yet showing no symptoms. In fact according to preliminary studies—as many as 20% of high-risk patients test positive.
DR. WILLIAM SUTKER
“The results were very eye-opening… they’re much higher than I would have predicted.”
DR. WINTER
Catching these cases is the first step.
DR. WILLIAM SUTKER
“We think it’s important we identify them because then we put these people in what’s called ‘contact isolation.’”
DR. WINTER
Those visiting and caring for patients who test positive wear protective clothing and are instructed to wash their hands more frequently to ensure the organism isn’t spread. Officials here say when it comes to M-R-S-A prevention really is the best medicine.
DR. WILLIAM SUTKER
“Everything that we do these days is trying to improve the safety of being a patient or an employee in the hospital.”
DR. WINTER
For Baylor Health Care System, I’m Dr. David Winter.
ANCHOR TAG
It’s important to note that you can carry MRSA and never develop an active infection. That’s why experts say many in the community who test positive for the organism have no idea their infected.