Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Screening Isn't Slowing Staph: Study

Researchers back more cost-effective, targeted testing to catch superbug

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2008 11:09 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Widespread screening of hospital patients for the drug-resistant staph bacteria MRSA doesn’t appear to reduce the number of infections, a new study finds. Swiss researchers screened more than 10,000 patients for the superbug when they were admitted to the University of Geneva Hospitals. Another 10,000 weren’t tested. The rates of MRSA infections were similar for both groups, the Chicago Tribune reports. 

“It wasn’t what we expected,” the study’s lead author says. Experts are split on the best strategy for fighting the superbug, which is killing almost 19,000 people a year; Illinois passed a law last year requiring hospitals to test all at-risk patients. The study’s lead author suggests targeted testing for high-risk patients: “It’s not cost-effective to do very widespread, universal screening.”

A new study finds that widespread screening of patients for the superbug MRSA is not the best way to address the growing epidemic.
A new study finds that widespread screening of patients for the superbug MRSA is not the best way to address the growing epidemic.   (KRT Photos)
Fred Bledsoe, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, holds a vial of the bacteriophage. His staph infection was treated in the former Soviet Union's Republic of Georgia.
Fred Bledsoe, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, holds a vial of the bacteriophage. His staph infection was treated in the former Soviet Union's Republic of Georgia.   (KRT Photos)
Jeanine Thomas, a survivor of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, stands outside of her Willowbrook, Ill. home in October. Thomas, 52, nearly died a few years ago from a staph infection that occurred after having ankle surgery. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)
Jeanine Thomas, a survivor of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, stands outside of her Willowbrook, Ill. home in October. Thomas, 52, nearly died a few years ago from a staph infection that...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related links

Abstract of the study
Journal of the American Medical Association

More on the findings
Reuters

 
JAMA • staph infections • superbug • epidemic • antibiotics • infection • epidemiology • MRSA • drug-resistant bacteria • University of Geneva Hospitals

More Newser Stories

Drug-Proof Superbug Turns Deadly

UK Sees New Superbug, Blames Medical Tourism in India

New Superbug Highlights Poor Hospital Hygiene

Doctors Fear Flu-Superbug Combo

New E. coli Strains Could Spell Epidemic
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne