Reply #76: I don't know [View All]

But it is definitely an increase in our population.
We have been having lengthy discussions about it for months just among staff nurses.
Recently, we even had a 3-week old infant that had it in it's umbilical stump.
In OUR area, I cannot speak for others, but the ONLY place that everyone goes is Walmart.
We pretty much feel it is being passed around on the baskets. A considerable amount of these kids are getting it on the back of their leg where it would come in contact with the shopping cart.
Our pediatricians have even been talking about treating ALL staff members prophylactically JUST IN CASE we are colonized.
This increase has been going on steadily in the past year. We've been concerned for some time now.
I doubt very seriously you will see true numbers because there are SO many of these cases that go unreported.:(
I am hoping that NEXT year, the CDC will amend their guidelines and make MRSA a reportable condition. That is the ONLY way to get some true numbers.