TX hospital screens all admits for MRSA

Temple, Texas-based Scott and White Hospital has set plans to spend $1 million a year to test all incoming patients for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Scott and White, which is affiliated with Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, will use molecular analysis of nostril swabs to test for the condition. Patients who test positive for MRSA will be treated using special precautions. These include frequent hand washing, use of a special cleaning solution to kill MRSA, careful use of antibiotics and frequent and thorough sanitizing of equipment used with MRSA patients, hospital administrators said. In addition, patients will get special training which will help them make sure that they don't spread the illness once they go home.

To learn more about Scott and White's plans:
- read this press release

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