Hospital Infections that Kill

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- You go to the hospital to feel better, but beware … your chances of picking up an infection while hospitalized are one in twenty. Now, one woman is on a mission to empower patients to fight the deadly consequences of those silent killers.

"My father was one of the most humble and self-effacing people," Pat Mastors described to Ivanhoe.

"He was very vibrant [and] passionate about his work and his hobbies," Gregory Gardner said of his father.

These fathers never knew each other, but they do have something in common. While in the hospital, both contracted the C. diff. infection.

"He went in for neck surgery and two days after the surgery his intestines ruptured," Mastors said.

Her father was one of nearly 100,000 people killed last year by hospital infections. According to the CDC, 1.7 million Americans contract a hospital infection each year. Armed with that information, the former medical reporter took action, creating the Empowered Patient Infection Defense Kit.

"Thirty-five percent of blood pressure cuffs have C. Diff. on the inside. Seventy-something percent have MRSA," Mastors said.

The $27 kit includes plastic liners for the cuffs along with hand sanitizer, bleach wipes to kill C. diff., antimicrobial wipes, a disinfectant spray, hibiclens to be used before surgery and covers for the remote.

"The TV remote control, I never thought about," said Mary Ball, who uses the kit. "That's something that's a source of infection."

Ball bought the kit for her husband. As a retired nurse she knows first-hand how dangerous these infections can be.

"Most of us know someone who died of an infection and that's scary," Ball said.

"Until it happens to you, you never fully realize how important it is to be prepared because the impact that it has is devastating," Gardner remarked.

"Death is part of life," said Mastors. "We don't deserve to die in that condition. We don't deserve to die of infections."

The kit -- a lifesaver that represents a daughter's dedication to her father.

Everything found in the kit can also be found individually in stores. We did some research and if you made the kit yourself -- replacing the blood pressure cuff and TV remote plastic covers for plastic wrap -- the contents would cost about $34. For more information about the kits visit www.infectiondefense.com.

If you would like more information, please contact:

The Empowered Patient Infection Defense Kids, infectiondefense@gmail.com, http://www.infectiondefense.com