Fourteen babies have contracted infections caused by MRSA at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage since March, according to a News Tribune news report.
In addition, the hospital discovered 17 other babies are carrying the bacteria but have not contracted any infection from it. All the infected babies have been treated with antibiotics and have shown improvement. Although it has been several weeks since a new infection has been detected, the hospital has been actively working with state epidemiologists to contain the bacteria.
Hospital officials have confirmed the MRSA outbreak came from within the hospital, but it is not yet clear how the bacteria made its way into the newborn intensive care unit. For now, infected babies and carrier babies have been placed in a separate room, and separate staff and equipment have been committed to that area, according to the news report.
Read the news report about the MRSA outbreak at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
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In addition, the hospital discovered 17 other babies are carrying the bacteria but have not contracted any infection from it. All the infected babies have been treated with antibiotics and have shown improvement. Although it has been several weeks since a new infection has been detected, the hospital has been actively working with state epidemiologists to contain the bacteria.
Hospital officials have confirmed the MRSA outbreak came from within the hospital, but it is not yet clear how the bacteria made its way into the newborn intensive care unit. For now, infected babies and carrier babies have been placed in a separate room, and separate staff and equipment have been committed to that area, according to the news report.
Read the news report about the MRSA outbreak at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Related Articles on MRSA:
New Policies at Texas VA Hospital Lead to 82% Decrease of Infection by Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Study: MRSA Outbreak in One Hospital May Affect Other Facilities in the Same Region
Study: Hospital Patients' Cell Phones Are Major Carriers of Drug-Resistant Bacteria