McCleary MRSA Prevention

This is the Bangor Daily news story about a very brave and determined woman.  She felt that a grave injustice was done to her when she sought care at EMMC in 2007.  She had abdominal cramping and was 16 weeks pregnant.  Her hometown hospital has no OB/GYN service or doctor.  So she travelled the 70 miles to EMMC for care.  They examined her, determined that her baby was dead and sent her home.  Please read the three stories that the BDN wrote regarding this womans case. 

It is my opinion that this brave woman may have made a statement to Maine and US hospitals that even if they have a policy that protects THEM if they discharge a miscarrying woman, it isn’t the right thing to do.  I believe she may have set a precident with her determination to reveal the injustice done to her.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/bdn/Jury-deliberates-Morin-miscarriage-case,156701

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Statewide/Woman-ends-testimony-in-stillborn-fetus-case-in-Bangor-court,156563

http://new.bangordailynews.com/2010/10/19/news/bangor/woman-sues-emmc-over-stillbirth-at-home/

I was surprised to read that the Vinal Haven,  Maine  MRSA outbreak continues.  It was declared by the previous Maine Public Health director that the outbreak was controlled last fall.

When I spoke to one of the Island’s MRSA victims, he told me that it had spread into at least one young family last fall.  He also stated that in his opinion that the outbreak originated in the mainland hospital rather than on lobster boats.  It then spread amoungst the lobster men on lobster boats.  I cannot confirm this, but since 85% of MRSA is Health care associated, I do not doubt him.

Aggressive MRSA education for the public and for Health care providers is necessary.  Also, aggressive screening, isolation and other preventative measures in our hospitals and all health care settings are necessary if we are ever going beat this horrible infection.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Midcoast/MRSA-infections-persist-on-Vinalhaven,155268