Equipment amongst keys to fighting HAI's

http://www.hospitalinfection.org/press/052007lhj.html

CAN A HOSPITAL STAY MAKE YOU SICKER?

Each year 2 million patient get hospital-based infections, and 90,000 die as a result. Seventy percent of bacterial infections are resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, and the numbers are rising. Some doctors say infections are inevitable given patients' weakened immune systems. Also, devices such as prosthetic joints are potent germ portals. "The kinds of heroic care physicians offer today involve invading skin and tissue - proven opportunities for staph bacteria to infect them," says Robert Daum, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Others blame hygiene. "The real issue is the meticulous cleaning of hands and very careful cleaning of equipment between patient use," says Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., chair of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), in New York City. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cut MRS in its ICU 90 percent by isolating patients who tested positive for staph infections and having medical personnel use disposable gowns when treating them. Reaportedly the costs of doing so came to $35,000, but the hospital saved $800,000.