MRSA Superbug Blog

Process + Technology = Better Patient Care

brooke — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:48:35 +0000

Scan the health sections of the national daily newspapers and you’re likely to find a common theme, ways to improve patient care, and more specifically, how to eliminate hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Whether discussing the launch of the Department of Heath and Human Service’s hospital compare tool, or the approaching enactment of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement changes, it’s clear that HAIs have assumed a central position in America’s conversation on patient safety and quality health care.

Given the impassioned discussion around HAIs, specifically as it relates to their prevention, it’s easy to assume that all facets of the conversation are being fully explored. A number of articles have delved into the importance of better hand washing policies and procedural checklists in an effort to reduce and/or prevent HAIs. Despite the understanding that proper hygiene and standard procedures dramatically eliminates the risk of infection, nearly 2 million people contract HAIs annually.

This dangerously high statistic illustrates the need to look beyond relying solely on hygiene and process measures to reduce HAIs. While they have been proven to reduce HAIs, they cannot be used as a stand-alone infection control policy. Instead, healthcare providers need to consider a two-pronged approach to prevent infections, one that incorporates the use of the best medical technologies available along with strict adherence to hygiene procedures.

Based on the widespread need to eliminate HAIs, I founded MADRI, the Multidisciplinary Alliance Against Device-Related Infections. MADRI is based on the principle that a collaborative approach to infection prevention can result in better patient outcomes and is unique because it promotes conversation between healthcare providers, government agencies and device and drug manufacturing companies.

By bringing all stakeholders to the table, MADRI provides a forum to discuss and share information and develop strategies for the prevention and treatment of device-related infections. The MADRI conference this past June marked the eighth annual meeting. More than an anniversary, however, it marked a sustained effort to merge the best minds, the best technologies and the best practices to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Infection prevention is a responsibility for all healthcare professionals. With a solid commitment and adherence to infection control best practices and innovations in medical-device technology, the healthcare community can significantly reduce HAI rates and related treatment costs. With the heightened attention to HAI rates and patient awareness, now is the time for a renewed focus on leveraging clinically protective medical device innovations that can help save the lives of thousands of people.

Rabih O. Darouiche, M.D., VA Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Medicine (Infectious Disease Section) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Director, Center for Prostheses Infection, Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Founder, Multidisciplinary Alliance Against Device-Related Infections.

MADRI- Banning Together to Help Prevent the Spread of Infections

brooke — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:30:30 +0000

We were always told as children to share with our peers. Dr. Rabih Darouiche, founder of the Multidisciplinary Alliance Against Device-Related Infections (MADRI) and VA distinguished service professor and director of Center for Prostheses Infection at Baylor College of Medicine, has taken this concept and applied it to the field of infection control by creating a forum for the open exchange of information, ideas and case studies with the goal of improving patient care.

MADRI is an organization that was established with the goal of improving patient care through the advancement of medical device technology. The alliance is comprised of healthcare providers, researchers, government agencies and device- and drug-manufacturing companies. By gathering experts from all disciplines together for an open and educational forum, MADRI creates an environment that is designed to spark conversation, and uncover new and innovative solutions for reducing device-related infections.

This week, infection control experts will be gathering in Virginia for the 8^th annual MADRI conference to share ideas and practices for improved patient care. The event will focus on identifying medical advances for the treatment and prevention of medical device-related infections, utilizing appropriate surgical interventions for patients with device-related infections and addressing the regulation of surface-modified medical devices. Leading infection specialists will present on a variety of topics, most notably legal liabilities associated with MRSA and catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs).

MADRI was created with a distinct focus on CRBSIs as many more central venous catheters (CVCs) are inserted each year than all other types of surgical implants combined. These infections are typically the most dangerous hospital acquired infection, resulting in the deaths of approximately 28,000 patients each year in the U.S. according to research conducted by John Hopkins Medical Institution. In addition to the human cost of these infections, they are extremely expensive to treat, costing upwards of $35,000 per patient.

Infection prevention is a responsibility for all healthcare professionals and the commitment to the dissemination of infection control best practices and technology will help to improve patient care and quality across the country.

By Thomas Cherry, RN, BSN

Clinical Product Manager of the Critical Care division of Cook Medical

http://www.cookmedical.com/home.do

http://www.cookmedical.com/cc/home.do

Top 10 Ways To Prevent MRSA

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:44:10 +0000

People infected with MRSA Superbug have been growing around the United States in hospitals, homes, and schools. The media has been trying to make this infection known so people can prevent MRSA from harming others. To help the cause, we wanted to provide you with a “Top 10 Ways To Prevent MRSA” list. By following these recommendations, you can wipe this infection out of your life.

10. Allow your natural body immune system to battle without antibiotics when possible.

9. Ovoid unnecessary surgeries.

8. When handling blood, wear gloves and a mask.

7. Practice good health – eat vitamins, limit alcohol conception, and drink plenty of water.

6. Never swim in a public swimming pool with an open wound.

5. Bathe on regular bases.

4. Clean surfaces around the house

3. Never share personal items with other people – razors, toothbrushes, and band-aids

2. Cover open wounds immediately.

1. Frequently wash your hands to prevent bacteria from spreading.

With this list, you should be able to help prevent MRSA Superbug from infecting your life.

Clay Versus MRSA Superbug

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:58:57 +0000

Scientists from Arizona State University report that minerals from clay promise could provide inexpensive, highly-effective antimicrobials to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections that are moving out of health care settings and into the community.

To read more check out: Clay Versus MRSA Superbug.

New Clorox disinfectant is EPA registered to kill both types of MRSA

admin — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:46:03 +0000

OAKLAND: While MRSA has been an issue in healthcare settings for years, CA-MRSA outbreaks in the community have been on the rise, with the greatest risk in community settings such as fitness clubs, in sports teams, at schools and daycare centers. In May, The Clorox Company will launch Clorox® Pro Quaternary All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner, a disinfectant that is EPA registered to kill germs, including Healthcare-associated and Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA).

New Clorox disinfectant is EPA registered to kill both types of MRSA

MRSA Superbug On Dr. Phil

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:54:14 +0000

Were you aware of MRSA Superbug before watching Dr. Phil’s show on The Superbug Scare? Most people never hear about mrsa until the show. Dr. Phil took a large step in rising awareness of the MRSA Superbug by having a complete episode with people that have been affected by this disease. The stories involved a 13 year old with a fatal infection, a teenager battling with this superbug for around a year, a doctor that was infected with the Superbug, a football player that contracted the MRSA Superbug from his teams locker room, and how people can protect themselves from this disease.

To learn more about this Dr. Phil episode on the superbug, go to The Superbug Scare

PureGreen24 Disinfectant

admin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:58:46 +0000

The MRSA superbug and other germs can surface in your households, hospitals, schools, and other common places without any signs of its existence until it’s to late. We aren’t trying to bring worry to your minds in fact we are only trying to open your eyes about this disease and get you to help prevent MRSA from spreading. How, you ask? In actuality, there are many disinfectants on the market that can kill the antibiotic resistant superbugs. The disinfectant we found is PureGreen24, which is the fastest bacterial killing time. It is the first green disinfectant that has received a Green Clean Institute Certification. For all those concern parents wondering if PureGreen24 is ChildSafe, It has been named safe around children.

PureGreen24 Beta Video
This is a very educational video explaining how and what this product is all about.

Never wonder if your household has MRSA superbug ever again by using this product. Do your part in preventing this disease from spreading! Go get a bottle of PureGreen24 Disinfectant at http://www.puregreen24.com

MRSA Facts & Fiction

admin — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:19:05 +0000

Understand the facts about MRSA Staph superbug by watching this video.

The CDC Speaks Out About MRSA Infections

admin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:58:11 +0000

Meagan Dorsch wrote a great article on her talk with doctors on MRSA back in Oct 2007. To help people further, she publish a podcast with doctors breaking down what an MRSA infection is, eliminates some myths surrounding it, and advice.

To read more check out: The CDC Speaks Out About MRSA Infections.

Grand Opening - mrsasuperbug.info Blog

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:16:19 +0000

We would like to welcome you to the grand opening of the Blog for mrsasuperbug.info. It seems that MRSA Superbug has been in the news, Internet, and even Dr. Phil. Watching and reading about this deadly disease that is killing people got us concerned too and wanting to help inform people like you with articles, videos, resources, and more.

We hope you enjoy this new feature on mrsasuperbug.info. If you haven’t yet, check out our main pages with articles on symptoms, treatment, history, and common questions.