Eight per cent of adults in Canadian hospitals are either infected or colonized with an antibiotic-resistant organism, according to a national survey. The infections can can be fatal.
In Canada most of the affected patients have no symptoms but can pass on the superbugs to others. Canada has a lower prevalence of cases than the U.S. but more than countries like Sweden and Denmark.
Use of antibiotics drives the development of antibiotic resistance in the superbugs, said the principal researchers of the study, Dr. Andrew Simor, head of infectious diseases at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.
Hospitals which isolated potentially infectious patients had a lower prevalence of infection and colonization, as did those with strong policies for cleaning and disinfecting the hospital environment.
Deep budget cuts have prompted many Canadian hospitals to cut back on cleaning staff.
This study examined only the prevalence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococci) and Clostridium difficile.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.