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StaphAseptic™ News
Watch out for MRSA in Doc's Office, too
May 13, 2009
posted by Ivanhoe newswire
May 12, 2009 -- While most people fear catching an infection in a hospital, researchers say this risk also exists in outpatient settings like doctor's offices and clinics.
"The recent emergence of community-associated MRSA, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and C.difficile among patients with no known predisposing factors has increased the potential for offices and clinics to become silent reservoirs for these pathogens," write the authors of a new review that outlines infection control strategies for these settings.
According to the article, health care workers are the main mode of transmission and should be the primary target of prevention efforts.
The experts identify hand washing, with alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water, as the most essential part of infection control. They also recommend additional precautions such as wearing gowns and gloves in caring for patients with diarrhea, cystic fibrosis or draining wounds.
"Since most cases of transmission in ambulatory care are a result of deficient infection-control practices, strict adherence to recommendations is paramount," write the authors.
http://www.ivanhoe.com
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