'Superbug' spreading to Southern California hospitals

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Los Angeles Times

A dangerous drug-resistant bacteria has spread to patients in Southern California, according to a study by Los Angeles County public health officials.

More than 350 cases of the Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, or CRKP, have been reported at healthcare facilities in Los Angeles County, mostly among elderly patients at skilled-nursing and long-term care facilities, according to a study by Dr. Dawn Terashita, an epidemiologist with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

It was not clear from the study how many of the infections proved fatal, but other studies in the U.S. and Israel have shown that about 40% of patients with the infection die. Tereshita was not available for comment Thursday morning but was scheduled to speak about the study in the afternoon.

"These are very serious infections, hugely complicated by the fact that the treatment options are severely limited," said Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, associate director for healthcare-associated infection-prevention programs at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/03/superbug-spreading-to-southern-california-hospitals.html

[xchrom]

1. scary -- my mother was in a skilled nursing center recently.

she's 101 -- and things like this make it such a worry.

[KansDem]

2. Wow! "101"

She's witnessed a lot of history.

She was alive when the Titanic sank!

Hope she's doing well! :hi:

[xchrom]

3. she had a new pacemaker put in.

she's really awesome.

doesn't use a walker -- no dementia -- no serious health concerns -- other than the pace maker.

she's a mall walker -- not very fast mind you -- but still.

goes grocery shopping with my cousin -- goes out to lunch with friends.

[cynannmarie]

4. that's amazing! n/t

[sdfernando]

11. I know what you mean

I have an Aunt at one of these facilities in So Cal. She is 103 now and still sharp.

[greiner3]

5. "Superbug;"

The resultant of evolution. Like it or not.

[Frisbee]

6. Don't you mean "Intelligent Design"?

After all, evolution is only a theory, right? :sarcasm:

[Mumble]

7. God created the "Superbug."

This is all HIS fault!

[SkyDaddy7]

8. GOD Created the SUPER BUG because...

"...gay marriage, women in the work place, abortion, evolution in school, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, etc.,!!"

I can hear the Christians now!!

[SolutionisSolidarity]

9. God's kind of a dick sometimes.

I still don't know why he designed Tay Sachs disease. I guess he just doesn't like children.

[louis-t]

10. And still, people go to the doctor when they have a cold and

the doctor prescribes antibiotics. :shrug:

[LiberalLovinLug]

12. Sounds like an episode of The Fringe

Scary. But I suppose its pointless hoping Dr. Bishop will find an antidote.