Watch CBS News

The Fight Against MRSA: How To Stop It From Spreading

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Methicillin resistant staph aureus or MRSA is not new. In fact it is now relatively commonplace. We have antibiotics to treat it but the treatment can take a prolonged amount of time and it spreads relatively easy.

There are a significant number of patients who come to the hospital and have MRSA—this is a problem because of the potential spread to other health care workers and patients. That is why most hospitals now screen patients for MRSA.

According to a new report, this can have a good impact. Screening incoming hospital patients to see whose carrying MRSA can sharply reduce disease caused by the organism.

Over a 10-year period, screening incoming patients resulted in a 70 percent drop in the MRSA disease, the research was done at North Shore Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.