Study Shows That One Quarter of Nursing Home Patients Have Bacterial Infection

June 10, 2009

According to a study, which was recently conducted in Ireland, nearly one in every four nursing home residents have an infection known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In the study, 1,111 residents and 553 staff members were tested for the bacteria. It was found that 24 percent of the residents and 7 percent of the staff were carriers.

MRSA is a disease that is tough to treat. It generally starts as a rash of small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils, or mosquito bites. These bumps can then turn into deep abscesses that require surgical draining. If the bacteria penetrate into the body, they can create potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the blood, the heart valves and the lungs.

Though this study was completed in Ireland, other similar studies have been performed in the United States. They have found that many nursing homes in this country also have striking numbers of patients and staff who have contracted MRSA infections. Family members and friends are warned to check ratings and the cleanliness of an establishment before leaving their loved one in a nursing home.