I design and implement infection control programs for non healthcare environments. Unless my clients or their business have been directly affected by MRSA or another disease causing organism they see these situations as “happening to the other guy”.

The June 25 APIC survey indicated that more than 70% of the MRSA infections found in hospitals were discovered with 48 hours of admission and in many cases were probably brought into the hospital from outside. This fact underscores strongly that the growing rate of community acquired infections need to be addressed much more strongly as well. Without the leadership and proper example setting by our medical “experts” as you so rightly call for in your blog, more infections will feed into the hospitals further exacerbating the problem.

Widespread public education on the ongoing abuse and misuse of antibiotics, education of the general population to identify MRSA symptoms early, and the greater emphasis on good hygiene are all called for especially among doctors apparently.