‘Superbug' infections tracking higher at RGH

Roosevelt General Hospital staff members are increasingly concerned about the rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA infections, at the hospital.

Director of Patient Care Gayle Richerson told RGH board members Tuesday at their regular meeting that the percentage of staph infections that turn out to be the MRSA strain rose from 43 percent in 2004-2005 to nearly 58 percent in 2006-07. The total number of staph infections has also increased significantly increased.

The so-called “superbug,” essentially a regular staph infection that’s resistant to first-line antibiotics, causes 94,000 severe infections each year with 19,000 deaths, according to a recent federal estimate. Of these infections nationwide, about 86 percent are healthcare-associated and 14 percent are community-associated, according to the Center for Disease Control.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean the hospital is dirty or people are acquiring (the infection) here,” Richerson said. “We have to be able to screen for the infection.”

Tersa Bonifant, director of infection control at RGH, said RGH’s rate of healthcare-associated infection is much lower than the national rate — and community-associated infections much higher.

Richerson believes that may relate to the agricultural-based lifestyle here that puts people in contact with manure, soil and other sources of possible infection.

Richerson and RGH Administrator James D’Agostino said several staff members had recently attended statewide meetings in which the problem has been discussed.

“They’re trying to get everybody together to set some standards (statewide),” D’Agostino said.

Bonifant said a hospital group charged with the action plan is leaning toward a test for the infection that will take 24 hours to return as the best compromise between price and immediacy. She said the hospital will likely screen just new admissions.

Richerson said the hospital is working on improved hand hygiene as its first line of defense. She said monitoring programs have shown increased compliance on hand washing policy among staff.

Approximately one-third of the U.S. population carries the bacteria that causes staph infection; less than 1 percent carry MRSA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In other business the board:

• Approved the annual review of policies and procedures with no changes from last year.

• Received a financial report from CFO Eva Stevens that shows the hospital operating well financially. Stevens said the rural-based health clinics continue to pull numbers down as RGH seeks credentials for Medicare reimbursement.

• Approved a notice of election for the District 5 seat. That seat is currently held by Darwin Chenault who says he hasn’t made a firm decision on whether he’ll run again but will likely file.
The election would be held in conjunction with the General Election on Nov. 4. The filing date for candidates is Aug. 27.

MRSA Fast Facts

• What it is: MRSA is a bacterial infection that has developed resistance to penicillin and related antibiotics. It can be treated with other antibiotics, but if untreated, the resulting infection can take over the body and cause death.

• Cause: Staph infections occur when the bacteria gets into an open wound.

• Symptoms: The first sign of such an infection is a pimple, rash, boil or open wound. The infection can appear as redness, warmth, swelling, pus and/or pain, and may be accompanied by a fever.

• Most at risk: People in healthcare facilities, in crowded living conditions, in close-contact sports and with weakened immune systems.

• Prevention: Mainly involves cleanliness, particularly frequent and thorough hand washing. Wounds should be cleaned, treated with antibiotic cream and covered with a bandage.
Hard surfaces touched by many people can be sanitized with disinfectant,  items that can carry bacteria — towels, personal items such as nail clippers and razors, and cosmetics — should not be shared.

Source: New Mexico Department of Health