Superbugs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned that “nightmare bacteria” are increasingly resistant to even the strongest of antibiotics.  

According to an article published in The Washington Post, these superbugs are posing a growing threat to hospitals and nursing homes nationwide.  

Since the strongest antibiotics don’t work, patients are left with a possibility of having an untreatable infection, so health officials and doctors need to work together to stop these deadly spreads.

The bacteria, known as Carbapenen-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, is called a “triple threat:” it’s resistant to nearly all antibiotics, it kills up to half of patients who get bloodstream infections, and it can transfer their antibiotic resistance to other bacteria within the family, which can make other types of bacteria untreatable.

In 2001, the percentage of these bacteria resistant to antibiotics was 1.2 percent. In 2011, the percentage was 4.2 percent. During the first six months of 2012, almost 200 hospitals treated at least one patient infected with the superbug.

Most infections occur in patients who are receiving care for serious conditions or are in nursing homes, and who often have catheters or ventilators which allow the bacteria to get deep in a patient’s body.

Since the germs spread from person to person, it can be controlled with proper precautions and better practices. According to the CDC, standard infection control precautions include washing hands and prescribing antibiotics wisely, which can reduce the problem.  

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At Snyder & Wenner, we strive to keep the community safe when hospital care is involved. We have become patient safety advocates by representing patients who have been harmed from hospital error. If you know someone who has been seriously injured from a hospital error, please contact us.

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.

2200 E. Camelback Road

Suite 213

Phoenix, AZ 85016

602-224-0005

www.azmedicalmalpracticelaw.com