The reports just keep coming in. Hospitals can make us sick. Or sicker. Canada reports 8,000 deaths each year from hospital infections. Out of 250,000 who get sick every year. And doctors and nurses say most of this is preventable.
The state of Missouri reports 200 patients die out of the 1,000 that experienced hospital infection. Nearly 12,000 hospital patients got serious infection while in Pennsylvania hosptials. 1,500 died.
We could go on but generally 1 out of every 20 people hospitalized will get an infection before discharged.
This seems to be an international problem and at first appears complex. But many doctors and nurses have been instructed to improve simple hygiene habits. Like hand washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mention that overall Two Million patients get hospital infections each year and 90,000 die because of it. And simple handwashing can make a difference..?
Yes, its proven. Thats why the VA Hospitals have doubled soap containers in their hospitals. And are instructing staff on simple, but powerful. hygiene procedures. And have set up a tracking program.
Many hospitals have budget problems, and the first to be cut may be cleaning staff and nurses. Hospital infection control is a serious issue that is now more ' public ' than before. That should be good for all of us. We look forward to reading some of the new Reports hospitals will be required to release to the public. Some are already complying and some are not.
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