Free (rapidly evolving) Super-bugs on the NHS?

Question

Do you think the NHS are doing enough to eradicate MRSA and how do you think we can best get rid of it ?

Answer 1

The thought of going into hospital is scary one, not just for elderly and weak anymore, either. Clostridium Difficile, i would say is becoming more of a threat than mrsa.

Need to go back to the days of the strict matron, who ruled the wards with a rod of iron, and DIRT was NEVER a problem. If you notice a dr or nurse or anyone not wash there hands before examining or visiting you, or a relative in Hospital, tell them to do it AT ONCE!!!

MRSA does not normally pose a risk to healthy adults or children. In fact, around one third of people are thought to carry it in their noses or on their skin, often referred to as being 'colonised'. But those who are healthy and carry it do not have any symptoms.

The bacteria only becomes a problem if the bacteria gets into the body for example through burns, surgical wounds, or the entry point for catheters or intravenous drips.

MRSA and SA can cause boils and abscesses, the skin infection impetigo, septic wounds, heart-valve infections, food poisoning, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome.

There is no one simple solution to stop MRSA.

One of the most important measures, though, is getting healthcare staff to wash their hands more frequently. International studies show that infection rates are reduced by between 10% and 50% if staff regularly clean their hands.

Other measures include:

-- changing dressings using disposable gloves;

-- isolating infected patients;

-- pre-planning visits of infected patients to other departments;

-- placing infected patients in the last slot for operations or X-rays.

For more info take a look at this site-

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=21659

Answer 2

i think that the burden of infection control should fall not just on the NHS and healthcare professionals. The general public needs to acknowledge that they have an active role to play in infection control.

How many times have you noticed someone not washing their hands after using the toilet? or smoking? or eating? or not washing their hands before touching a person in hospital? or touching a baby? or sitting on someones hospital bed?

Its about time that everyone started being a bit more responsible about this and not just using the NHS as a scapegoat.

The majority of the general public are carriers of MRSA and how many people do you know who don't take extra handwashing precautions when they have diarrhoea?

Answer 3

After you have finished being operating on, the plan is that the GP manages your recovery plan not the consultant (according to the BBC News) so if you go in for a broken ankle and your foot has to be taken off .......

Answer 4

no they are not doing enough to get rid of it and they never will be able to eradicate it