Daniel Akaka: “I find it disturbing and disheartening to know that efforts to heal through modern medicine end up creating new medical…”

“I find it disturbing and disheartening to know that efforts to heal through modern medicine end up creating new medical problems, in addition to those that are preexisting. Unfortunately, this is what is occurring with the rise of dangerous drug-resistant forms of staph that have become prevalent as of late. I want to talk about the potential dangers of these infections, especially in a medical environment where patients are most vulnerable, and also give much-deserved praise to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their work to combat staph infections in their hospitals. There are many types of staph bacteria. While some forms of staph are harmless, others are fatal. A recent study conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology suggests that as many as 1.2 million U.S. hospital patients are infected every year by a form of staph that is resistant to drugs. Drug-resistant staph, often referred to as MRSA, Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus, has adapted in response to common antibiotics which have been used to combat these and other infections. Most staph infections arise from visits to the hospital and other health care settings. The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking effective steps to reduce staph infections in their hospitals.”