Advertisement
Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., Chairman of RID, says, "The CDC is largely toblame for the huge problem of hospital infections. We have the science toprevent these infections. But CDC's lax guidelines under Gerberding havegiven the hospitals an excuse to do too little. The CDC is in bed with thehospital industry instead of looking out for patients."
Advertisement
Every year, hospital infections kill more people in the U.S. than AIDS,breast cancer, and auto accidents combined, and add $30.5 billion to thenation's health tab in unnecessary expenses. The incoming Secretary Daschle,who wants to reduce healthcare costs, should turn the CDC's attention topreventing these infections.
The CDC consistently caters to the hospital industry rather than callingfor universal screening for MRSA bacteria on incoming patients, more rigorouscleaning standards in hospitals, and use of proven back-up technologies suchas antibiotic-impregnated central-line catheters. "I encourage Daschle toselect a CDC head who will focus on the needs of patients, rather than thehospital industry," says McCaughey.
To speak with Dr. Betsy McCaughey, please call 212-369-3329.
SOURCE The Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths
