MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) cases have increased in recent months in our Social Security Disability clients. These are essentially infections that are resistant to a major category of antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. This year we have had several cases involving MRSA that have prevented individuals from having otherwise needed surgeries because of risk of further infection. In all of our cases, individuals were admitted to the hospital for other medical reasons, developed an MRSA infection, and then they were released.
Individuals who are considered likely to get this are athletes in contact sports, children, the elderly, individuals with weak immune systems, and individuals staying in a health care facility for an extended time.
As a precaution to lower the risk of getting MRSA infections, individuals are advised to make sure all doctors and nurses wash their hands, sanitize surfaces, and sterilize any instruments that might have been used in treating a skin infection that led to the MRSA infection.
I contracted MRSA from a brief stay at Elmhurst Hospital (11/11/08 – 11/12/08)
for chest pains. While there the hospital did several tests and they all came back normal.(have copies)
About 8 days later I started to feel ill and on 11/21/08 fell serious ill with a fever of 103.5 and some kind of abcess on left inner thigh/groin area.
I spoke with my regular doctor and explained the problem and he thought it was an infected pubic hair
but by 11/23/08 I was in so much pain I couldn’t take it any more I went to Elmhurst ER.
Here the ER Doctor lancet the abscess on my left inner thigh/groin area and did a culture also prescribed “bactric” then referred me to a surgeon named Dr. Gellar. On 11/25/08 I saw the surgeon and he had to do surgery (what a painful experience) on me and remarked that my abscess had gangrene in it and never told me that it was MRSA. At this point I still was under the impression it was an infected pubic hair. On 12/08/08 I requested a copy of my records and when I received a copy of my chart (on 12/12/08) that’s when I found out I had MRSA – from the culture report that the hospital did. On 12/16/08 I took these reports to my Endo and he confirmed it was MRSA and he told me that my whole family was a risk at getting this and he told me that they all needed to be on “Bactroban” but this was almost 3 ½ weeks later. When I returned to see the surgeon I asked why wasn’t I told – he told me that the hospital should have called me and changed the subject. I have called the CDC and the Health Department and talked with both and they both told me that my family is at risk of getting this because I did not take precautions fast enough. How could I – I didn’t know, Elmhurst failed to tell me.
I have called the hospital and complained on 12/18/08 and talked to the Asst. Head of ER. (630-833-1400) and she in turned referred it to “Annmarie” (630-758-5101) who is one of two people in charge of infection control at the hospital. She told me that there is a “CALL BACK POLICY” and I should have been called. I also told her I got this from my stay but that just fell on deaf ears. While we were speaking I told her that I only saw one person who took care of me while I was in the hospital wash their hands. An oriental young man. All the rest did not. That the floor was mopped with the same swifer that the other rooms were, it was not changed for each room. Nor was the bathroom cleaned, toilet was not cleaned ( it had a black ring at water level). The only thing they changed was the garbage bag. She really didn’t pay must mind to this. She said she would check into this. I told her I am a disable person. I do not go anywhere and was fine until I entered your hospital and that I could get letters from people stating this. Even from my psychiatrist. But she kept telling me that everyone has this on them and it can strike any time. She also asked if I received a copy of “Speak Up Campaign” in my folder – I did not. She explained what it was – it is about making sure hand washing is done before anyone touches you in the hospital. But the only things in my folder were living will and something about religion.
I got it from a hospital here – I was NEVER told I had it
until I asked for paper work and found out. I had a 2 day stay
in hospital for chest pains and 8 days later mrsa – very severe and now I have this for life!!. Have had one surgery
and will have another next month – Isn’t the hospital responsible for maintaing
a clean and safe environment? Can I sue them for my person injury, physical pain
and impairment, mental anguish, medical expenses, husbands loss wages and disfigurement?
I have talked to the hospital’s VP of Patients and she is looking into everything but I doubt I’ll ever hear from her.
please take this off. i never thought you would show this. i thought it was for looking for a lawyer. REMOVER ASAP!!!
I got a severe MRSA infection in a hospital and got several other blood infections with it and almost died and had to go on disability.