Nasal Swabs For All At Va

[Stretch]

This New York Times article claims that all are given nasal swabs. I haven't had a nasal swab at my VA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/health/14infections.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[carlie]

Stretch,

I believe the testing started around either 2005 or 2007 and was limited to intensive care units and the testing of

every patient upon admission and discharge, is what I found in the article.

I don't see anywhere that it was done for regular VAMC patients.

From below, it sounds like they spent some big $$ on this, off hand I do not know how many VAMC's we have in the US.

"Dr. Jain said each hospital spent between $160,000 and $300,000 a year to employ a prevention coordinator and

lab technician and to purchase testing supplies, gowns and gloves."

[john999]

Does your doctor wash his/her hands? That is how they spread staff infections.

[Vync]

Nasal swabs can be used to take samples, but also can be used to administer other things, like vaccines...

[chr49]

This New York Times article claims that all are given nasal swabs. I haven't had a nasal swab at my VA.

http://www.nytimes.c...ner=rss&emc=rss

I think most studies of this type are done on hospital inpatients. If Carlie is correct that this article reflects 2005-07 studies, it sure took them long enough to report the findings. Things change so quickly in the medical field that it's ridiculous to report it now.

Edited April 14, 2011 by chr49