Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Outbreaks of Hospital Superbug CRKP on the Rise in California


San Francisco, CA: A new study has found that a rare and deadly superbug, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), is infecting hospital patients in large numbers in Southern California.

The study, by the Los Angeles County Department of Health, found 356 cases of CRKP occurred over seven months in 2010. All the incidences were reported in health care facilities including hospitals and nursing homes.

According to a report on CNN.com, CRKP has been reported in 36 states, but health officials suspect that it's not being reported in the other 14 states, where reporting is not required.

This study is the first of its kind in LA County, and the investigators were reportedly surprised by how high the CRKP infection rates were. And, they noted they are not sure why the superbug is so prevalent.

CRKP tends to infect elderly patients who have multiple health problems, and who have catheters or on respirators, as foreign objects can prove good breeding grounds for the bacteria. Colistin is the only antibiotic found to be effective in most but not all cases.

According to an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2008), previous outbreaks of CRKP have been associated with a 35 percent incidence of death. Hand washing by staff has reduced the incidence of CRKP infection in some hospitals.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered illness or an adverse health event from a hospital acquired infection, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Published on Mar-29-11


ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.

Request Legal Help Now! - Free