Roland Hulme

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071017/...aph_infections

This report seems to suggest that 18,000 people died in the US last year from MRSA - which would (and I'm not EXACTLY sure if these figures are right) suggest that the rates of death are roughly double that of the UK (per head of population.)

DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING! I'd always thought US hospitals were cleaner.

Jerseygirl

This is not new news...it's been going on for years...it's just not received much publicity that's all.

Titchski

Its not really all that surprising when you think about it.

NHS cuts corners because they have a finite amount of money coming in from taxes

Private hositals cut corners because they have a finite amount of money to spend on the hospital itself as their main goal is to turn a profit for their investors/shareholders.

Patients in both scenarios are the ones to suffer.

fatbrit

Yes -- but this bug came down from Canada and up from Mexico on the clothing and in the unwashed hair of those crossing the border. That's why we need a 24-foot electrified fence with machine gun nests. Otherwise, these effing foreigners are gonna kill us and destroy our way of life.

Titchski

You're kidding right? I heard that the MRSA MSSA immigrant superbugs have already been offereed bank accounts, cars AND representation by the ACLU/Rainbow Alliance/Nation of Islam

Bob

It's killing more than AIDS around here apparently, so that's interesting.

Maybe a small step would be if docs/nurses etc didn't wear their scrubs out in public?

Roland Hulme

Good point! I saw a guy in scrubs in the elevator the other day!

Bob

I'm always seeing nurses and doctors wondering around the mall or grocery stores in their scrubs around here....always thought that was a bit minging myself, but what do I know.

TonyLA

They ARE cleaner - unfortunately that's not really anything to do with MRSA. It's how many of the patients admitted that carry it and how or whether they are tested or segregated that matters. Together with the staff and visitors washing their hands regularly. Personally - I tell every one coming into the room to use the cleaner thingy on the wall (wasn't me in the room but my GFs son).

Bluegrass Lass

They may not actually be nurses or doctors..I know there's a local store that does nothing but sell scrubs. I've never been in there myself, but AFAIK I don't have to be a dr/nurse to buy them. Apparently they are quite comfy as I've had a few friends buy a set or two.

Guess the elastic waistbands are quite good for the ever enlarging arses of us Americans.

Titchski

Listening to the news this morning, seems a couple of schools got shut down and cleaned yesterday. Can't remember where now.

snowbunny

Define clean.

MRSA and other nosocomial infections are rife in the US. A big part of it is adequate ventilation systems and filters, not necessarily whether there is grime on the floor.

Bob

Hospital ID tag is a bit of a give away though

Bluegrass Lass

very true! guess i've never really thought about it wearing scrubs in public as being minging. i would like to think, tho, that they are somewhat clean before wearing them out in public. but perhaps not!

Rushman

They have more than double the hospitals here ....D'UH!!!!