Drug-Resistant Bacteria Discovered at Southern California Hospitals
Researchers have identified numerous cases of potentially dangerous drug-resistant bacteria at several health care facilities in Southern California, according to data released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Dawn Terashita, a medical epidemiologist at the department, analyzed infection reports filed by 52 hospitals and regional laboratories between June 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2010 (Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times, 3/25).
Terashita's findings are included in a report scheduled to be released by the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America at its conference in April (Evans, Torrance Daily Breeze, 3/24).
Background on the Bacteria
The bacteria -- called carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, or CRKP -- is considered an emerging infectious disease. The infection typically spreads through person-to-person contact in health care facilities.
Patients with certain health issues -- such as those with advanced diabetes or those using a catheter -- are particularly vulnerable to CRKP. The infection produces pneumonia-like symptoms that can be fatal for individuals in poor health.
According to CDC, CRKP is resistant to nearly all antimicrobial agents (Abram, Los Angeles Daily News, 3/24).
Key Findings
Terashita said researchers identified 356 cases of CRKP at health care facilities in Los Angeles County, primarily among elderly individuals. Of those cases, 146 infections were found at eight long-term acute care hospitals.
Twenty cases were reported at nursing homes and the rest were reported at short-term acute-care hospitals.
Terashita did not identify the facilities reporting the infections (Los Angeles Times, 3/25).
Officials Respond
Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said hospitals are aware of the problems involving drug-resistant bacteria and are dealing with the issue.
He added that hospitals are undertaking extensive measures to prevent the spread of the infection (Torrance Daily Breeze, 3/24).
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