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Source: http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3325148
Outbreak dealt with quietly
12 MRSA cases was above hospital average
By NICK LYPACZEWSKI TIMES-JOURNAL
Posted 1 hour ago
During September, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital dealt with a superbug outbreak, albeit a quiet one.
"We've seen an increase in (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) cases over the past month and we're managing it," STEGH communications specialist Cathy Fox told the Times- Journal over the phone.
In September, 12 patients were in the hospital carrying MRSA, a strain of common staph bacteria that remains dormant until it enters the body and causes infection.
Five patients acquired the germs during their stay, prompting staff to enhance precautions.
But while MRSA is not a reportable disease unless it's in the bloodstream in an infection called MRSA bacteremia, Dr. Noor Muhammad, St. Thomas Public Health manager of infectious diseases, says as long as cases are above the hospital's baseline averages, it's considered an outbreak...
Outbreak dealt with quietly
12 MRSA cases was above hospital average
By NICK LYPACZEWSKI TIMES-JOURNAL
Posted 1 hour ago
During September, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital dealt with a superbug outbreak, albeit a quiet one.
"We've seen an increase in (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) cases over the past month and we're managing it," STEGH communications specialist Cathy Fox told the Times- Journal over the phone.
In September, 12 patients were in the hospital carrying MRSA, a strain of common staph bacteria that remains dormant until it enters the body and causes infection.
Five patients acquired the germs during their stay, prompting staff to enhance precautions.
But while MRSA is not a reportable disease unless it's in the bloodstream in an infection called MRSA bacteremia, Dr. Noor Muhammad, St. Thomas Public Health manager of infectious diseases, says as long as cases are above the hospital's baseline averages, it's considered an outbreak...