Hospital infection is increasing day after day and more patients will be affected in the future. There are various contributing factors, which has made this war with bugs more difficult to control. The situation has been made worse by the new “Swine flu” and other emerging infections. Pharmaceutical companies stopped investing in developing new antibiotics in 1970s but the bacteria did not stop developing methods to defend themselves. Stronger methods of killing S. aureus, vancomycin and linezolid, were developed, but as of 2002 and 2003, VRSA and LRSA have respectively been detected in the United States. New research on the threat of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) in primary care (UK) shows that as many as one in five patients who contract MRSA in the community are dead within a year.Bacteria are living single cell organism which colonize our skin and are constantly multiplying every twenty minutes. Women’s hands are said to be colonized with 4,500 types of bacteria. Most bacteria are harmless but the advent of antibiotic resistant bacteria is now helping these harmless bacteria turn vicious killers. Virus infection is known to reduce immunity and help bacteria present in our nose and skin enter our body.
Published data from USA suggest seasonal flu in children has gradually increased in the last five years. 64% of death in children with seasonal flu was contributed to co-infection with MRSA infection, 52% were said to have died in 48 hours. This is a worrying situation for doctors because these infections occur in previously healthy adults and children that rapidly result in mortality. Data related to Swine flu are not available but we anticipate the number of death is likely to increase and will be associated with antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than two million hospital-acquired infections occur annually and are responsible for 90,000 deaths in USA. Infectious diseases are now the second leading cause of death worldwide.. Today, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a severe threat to public health and underscore the need for critical care professionals to equip themselves with the most effective infection control strategies.
Many new and re-emerging microbial threats, such as viral, bacterial, malaria, TB, polio and fungal infections will challenge intensive care providers well into the future. With government and private insurers increasingly refusing to reimburse providers for treatment of hospital-acquired infections, the situation is dire.
Medifix Doctors, have been striving hard to help reduce the spread of these infections in the hospitals and in the community. As treatment is not an option because the bacteria are more virulent and said to harbour various enzymes that kill the patient in 48 hours, the only option available is to help reduce these infections is to meticulously wash hands using soap and water.
What Is The Problem?
Fifty three (53) million people worldwide are now said to be colonized with these bacteria. One in three people are asymptomatic carriers and in USA, 60% attending ER were found to be colonized with MRSA. Nurses’ and doctor’s contact with potentially infectious persons probably place them at higher risk than the general population for infectious diseases. 48%-52% of healthcare workers are carriers and can pose a risk to their family, friends and patients.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than two million hospital-acquired infections occur annually and are responsible for 90,000 deaths in USA. Infectious diseases are now the second leading cause of death worldwide.. Today, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a severe threat to public health and underscore the need for critical care professionals to equip themselves with the most effective infection control strategies.
Many new and re-emerging microbial threats, such as viral, bacterial, malaria, TB, polio and fungal infections will challenge intensive care providers well into the future. With government and private insurers increasingly refusing to reimburse providers for treatment of hospital-acquired infections, the situation is dire.
Medifix Doctors, have been striving hard to help reduce the spread of these infections in the hospitals and in the community. As treatment is not an option because the bacteria are more virulent and said to harbour various enzymes that kill the patient in 48 hours, the only option available is to help reduce these infections is to meticulously wash hands using soap and water.
What Is The Problem?
Fifty three (53) million people worldwide are now said to be colonized with these bacteria. One in three people are asymptomatic carriers and in USA, 60% attending ER were found to be colonized with MRSA. Nurses’ and doctor’s contact with potentially infectious persons probably place them at higher risk than the general population for infectious diseases. 48%-52% of healthcare workers are carriers and can pose a risk to their family, friends and patients.
Hospital bacteria which survive attacks by disinfectants and antiseptics are becoming ultra-resistant superbugs which cannot be killed. Biocides, the bacteria-killing chemicals are universally used in hospitals to clean surfaces, sterilise medical instruments and equipment, and decontaminate skin before surgery. Bacteria have in-built protein pumps that expel many different toxic substances from their cells. These "efflux pumps" are known to remove antibiotics and make bugs drug-resistant. They are also said to be encapsulated in biofilm which protect them from chemical attack. Hand washing has been associated with preventing the spread of infection and illness. While this is almost always true, hand washing has also been now linked to a few health problems. Fifty-eight percent of the participants developed dermatitis on their hands, which was associated with soap use. Alcohol-based hand cleaners had no effect on hand dermatitis. All of the severe dermatitis cases occurred in those who washed their hands more than 10 times a day were the most likely to develop the skin condition and were colonised with antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Though washing with soap will eliminate most of the hand's bacteria colonies, some pathogens with a genetic pre-disposition to resist the soap's antibiotic properties will survive. When these resistant bacteria divide, they pass their resistance on, creating entire colonies of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Besides continually developing new drugs, antibiotic resistance can be slowed by carefully limiting use of antibacterial or antimicrobial soaps and cleaners. Healthcare professionals are debating about using strong chemicals to kill bacteria. Warwick University (UK) found sewer, rivers and soil are now contaminated with antibiotic resistant bacteria like MRSA. They have blamed excessive use of detergents and shampoo at hospitals and homes.
NHS hospitals in UK were vigorously cleaned with strong chemicals without careful consideration of data published in various medical and scientific journals. The incidence of antibiotic resistant bacterial infection has increased by 3% in 2008.
Dr. Wesley is the State EMS Medical Director for Minnesota, USA found 32% of stethoscopes used in ER were colonized with MRSA. Hospital computers, equipments, mobile phones and handbags used by doctors are said to be colonised with resistant bacteria.
Hospitals are major source of spreading infections. The reason is obvious and the control measures are outdates. Nurse led infection control has not produced any reduction of infections. The reason we think they are not successful is that they are depending on data and protocols published in 1980 & 90s.
DH (UK) study published in 2008 clearly show the infection rate was is not associated with dirty hospitals, over crowding and temporary staff but was said to be associated with intravenous drips.
A new superbug that is resistant to all antibiotics has been brought into Britain by patients having cosmetic surgery or organ transplants in India & Pakistan in July 2009. This bacteria is said to be armed with an enzyme, called New Delhi Metallo-1. It is of particular concern because it can jump from one strain of bacteria to another meaning it could attach itself to more dangerous infections that can cause severe illnesses and blood poisoning making them almost impossible to treat. The NDM-1 enzyme destroys a group of antibiotics called carbapenems which are mainly used in Britain for severe infections and are tightly controlled.
One in 20 Healthcare workers now carry MRSA, and Common places in your office are colonized with Bacteria are telephone, mobile phone, computers, keyboard, coffee rooms and women's hand bag and shaking hands with you client as it is said to be more dangerous than kissing.
Protocols and policies used in hospitals to prevent and manage infections are based on studies carried out in 1980s & 90s and are now obsolete. We need alternative technique and devices to help us reduce introducing bacterial infections that kill. One in three healthy adults and children are said to be colonised with bacteria in the hands and nose. Most disposable plastic devices used in the hospitals are inserted through the skin, mouth and nostrils. Device manufacturers are not encouraging doctors to produce alternate device to help reduce this threat due to the fear of loose their control and products.
Medical device manufacturers are still talking about "Sharp Injuries" as a major problem encountered in hospitals. Despite published data, prove the risk of contracting infection through Needle stick injury is considerably low. One healthcare worker contracted HIV infection and nine developed Hep C infection in ten years. These companies have invested large amounts of funds on developing and marketing safety device claiming sharp injuries is a major occupational hazard. They have also successfully lobbied and implemented law making it mandatory to use safety devices. These safety devices have no added benefit to patient care and not help us reduce infections spreading in the hospitals.
Since we started this campaign, people dying from infections in our hospitals have reached catastrophic proportion and is now worldwide. The evidence available clearly, points to poor hygienic practical procedures and is not associated with dirty hospitals. Soon medical profession we’ve created to help us live more comfortable healthier lives will come to a girding halt.
Healthcare professionals use various plastic devices when performing procedures but are not adequately monitored after trained. These technique are very essential but is now associated with high risk of infections that cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics. Once infected, one in five of these patients are likely to die within a year. We feel it is very important to reduce introducing infection via drip sites, catheters, endotracheal tubes and injection sites created in the hospitals.
We have also identified doctors and nurses are not aware of good skin preparing method nor are they practicing adequate “Drying time”. Healthcare professionals think they are sterile once they wash their hands and use gloves. When performing practical procedures we noticed doctors / nurse touching un-sterile objects, hands of the patient and surfaces. DH (UK) published their finding stating IV Drip is associated with high infection rate. They are recommending changing IV Drip sites every 48 hours due to legal reasons and not based on clinical evidence.
Using 70% alcohol to clean skin is associated with higher incidence of phlebitis and now rarely kills bacteria. By reducing, the duration a device placed on the skin it is less likely to reduce infections. Doctors use on average two to three attempts to successfully insert one cannula. This multiple puncture sites created by staff will be colonized with bacteria resulting in abscess and bacteria will enter blood resulting in septicaemia and death.
Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust (UK) has instead begun prescribing the insertion of cannula - The trust said since the introduction last November there have been no new cases of MRSA infections. This figure covers all forms of MRSA, including bloodstream infections (also known as bacteraemia) and wound infections.
Medifix Doctors have been warning various device manufacturers to bring in devices to help ease technique. Doctors and nurses make perform various technique are not adequately monitored or trained. This is mandatory because the route of infection is most likely to be via drip sites, injections and other puncture sites created in the hospitals.
Identify suitable partners to help develop medical devices that help doctors and patients are now very essential to control spread. Since we started our project, we have noticed harmless bacteria, virus and even fungus are now resistant to treatment. Our soil and rivers are said to be polluted with antibiotic resistant bacteria that kill.
Pharmaceutical companies are not keen to invest on developing new antibiotics because the bacteria are rapidly developing resistant. In 2008, Pfizer (UK) withdrew Linezolid (New Antibiotic) after resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (LRSA) was reported: Since this happened not many pharmaceutical companies are venturing into antibiotic R&D.
Patients with viral infections (Swine flu) have poor appetite, sweat and are more likely to be dehydrated. These sick patients will need venous access to administer drugs, fluids and nutrition. Inserting IV Cannula in dehydrated patient is very difficult resulting in multiple attempts. Multiple punctures taken to insert cannula are traumatic to patients and stressful to doctors or nurses. Bacteria colonised in the hands of patient or the gloves of healthcare professionals are more likely to be introduced through skin resulting in septicaemia and death.
Hospitals are major source of spreading infections. The reason is obvious and the control measures are outdates. Nurse led infection control has not produced any reduction of infections. The reason we think they are not successful is that they are depending on data and protocols published in 1980 & 90s.
DH (UK) study published in 2008 clearly show the infection rate was is not associated with dirty hospitals, over crowding and temporary staff but was said to be associated with intravenous drips.
A new superbug that is resistant to all antibiotics has been brought into Britain by patients having cosmetic surgery or organ transplants in India & Pakistan in July 2009. This bacteria is said to be armed with an enzyme, called New Delhi Metallo-1. It is of particular concern because it can jump from one strain of bacteria to another meaning it could attach itself to more dangerous infections that can cause severe illnesses and blood poisoning making them almost impossible to treat. The NDM-1 enzyme destroys a group of antibiotics called carbapenems which are mainly used in Britain for severe infections and are tightly controlled.
One in 20 Healthcare workers now carry MRSA, and Common places in your office are colonized with Bacteria are telephone, mobile phone, computers, keyboard, coffee rooms and women's hand bag and shaking hands with you client as it is said to be more dangerous than kissing.
Protocols and policies used in hospitals to prevent and manage infections are based on studies carried out in 1980s & 90s and are now obsolete. We need alternative technique and devices to help us reduce introducing bacterial infections that kill. One in three healthy adults and children are said to be colonised with bacteria in the hands and nose. Most disposable plastic devices used in the hospitals are inserted through the skin, mouth and nostrils. Device manufacturers are not encouraging doctors to produce alternate device to help reduce this threat due to the fear of loose their control and products.
Medical device manufacturers are still talking about "Sharp Injuries" as a major problem encountered in hospitals. Despite published data, prove the risk of contracting infection through Needle stick injury is considerably low. One healthcare worker contracted HIV infection and nine developed Hep C infection in ten years. These companies have invested large amounts of funds on developing and marketing safety device claiming sharp injuries is a major occupational hazard. They have also successfully lobbied and implemented law making it mandatory to use safety devices. These safety devices have no added benefit to patient care and not help us reduce infections spreading in the hospitals.
Since we started this campaign, people dying from infections in our hospitals have reached catastrophic proportion and is now worldwide. The evidence available clearly, points to poor hygienic practical procedures and is not associated with dirty hospitals. Soon medical profession we’ve created to help us live more comfortable healthier lives will come to a girding halt.
Healthcare professionals use various plastic devices when performing procedures but are not adequately monitored after trained. These technique are very essential but is now associated with high risk of infections that cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics. Once infected, one in five of these patients are likely to die within a year. We feel it is very important to reduce introducing infection via drip sites, catheters, endotracheal tubes and injection sites created in the hospitals.
We have also identified doctors and nurses are not aware of good skin preparing method nor are they practicing adequate “Drying time”. Healthcare professionals think they are sterile once they wash their hands and use gloves. When performing practical procedures we noticed doctors / nurse touching un-sterile objects, hands of the patient and surfaces. DH (UK) published their finding stating IV Drip is associated with high infection rate. They are recommending changing IV Drip sites every 48 hours due to legal reasons and not based on clinical evidence.
Using 70% alcohol to clean skin is associated with higher incidence of phlebitis and now rarely kills bacteria. By reducing, the duration a device placed on the skin it is less likely to reduce infections. Doctors use on average two to three attempts to successfully insert one cannula. This multiple puncture sites created by staff will be colonized with bacteria resulting in abscess and bacteria will enter blood resulting in septicaemia and death.
Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust (UK) has instead begun prescribing the insertion of cannula - The trust said since the introduction last November there have been no new cases of MRSA infections. This figure covers all forms of MRSA, including bloodstream infections (also known as bacteraemia) and wound infections.
Medifix Doctors have been warning various device manufacturers to bring in devices to help ease technique. Doctors and nurses make perform various technique are not adequately monitored or trained. This is mandatory because the route of infection is most likely to be via drip sites, injections and other puncture sites created in the hospitals.
Identify suitable partners to help develop medical devices that help doctors and patients are now very essential to control spread. Since we started our project, we have noticed harmless bacteria, virus and even fungus are now resistant to treatment. Our soil and rivers are said to be polluted with antibiotic resistant bacteria that kill.
Pharmaceutical companies are not keen to invest on developing new antibiotics because the bacteria are rapidly developing resistant. In 2008, Pfizer (UK) withdrew Linezolid (New Antibiotic) after resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (LRSA) was reported: Since this happened not many pharmaceutical companies are venturing into antibiotic R&D.
Patients with viral infections (Swine flu) have poor appetite, sweat and are more likely to be dehydrated. These sick patients will need venous access to administer drugs, fluids and nutrition. Inserting IV Cannula in dehydrated patient is very difficult resulting in multiple attempts. Multiple punctures taken to insert cannula are traumatic to patients and stressful to doctors or nurses. Bacteria colonised in the hands of patient or the gloves of healthcare professionals are more likely to be introduced through skin resulting in septicaemia and death.
If we, the doctors cannot defend our patients and our profession, what is this all about "Safe Doctors" and "The right to treat"? If health authorities think NICE Guidelines is the Bible for doctors and BNF dictates my treatment then why should we encourage and train our youngsters to become doctors? People can read these guidelines and the pharmacist can dispense medication to patients. This could save considerable amount of taxpayer’s money to NHS.
