More on MRSA: Online Resources

Folks seem to be having difficulty accessing information and others who have had similar problems with infections. I have been unable to get information about rehabilitation post-infection so I will be looking for some clinicians to interview next week - volunteers? MRSA has killed more people in the US than AIDS... 18,650 deaths in the US were attributed to MRSA in 2005. That number exceeds the number of deaths due to emphysema or homicide.

Here are some other online resources for people who want to look, read or chat with others with MRSA experiences:

• MRSA Resources: a survivor of a near-fatal MRSA septicemia and his wife started this website to encourage others and provide information. This is another case of misdiagnosis with spider bite.
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• CDC Strategies for Clinical Management of MRSA in the Community : 24 pages of expert advice available on line from the experts
• MRSA and the Workplace from NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
• pets-MRSA
  

Are you wondering just what the CDC is doing about MRSA? Here is their statement: What is CDC doing about MRSA? They are doing:

• Surveillance - Data Collection & Statistical Analysis
• Prevention
  
• Epidemiologic and Laboratory Research
• Outbreak and Laboratory Support
• Extramural funding
  

Labels: MRSA, resources, workplace

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Lower Bottom Line by Screening for Depression in the Workplace

Depression is a huge international health problem; the leading cause of disability worldwide. Some call it the "common cold of mental illness". Employees who are depressed are less productive and account for increased absenteeism in the workplace. Since so much of people's lives are devoted to working, when people are disabled due to depression, their work is adversely affected. Researchers at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) are recommending that employers add a depression screening and intervention program "as a healthy, win-win investment...".

Researchers found compelling evidence that a company's bottom line could be improved by making sure employees were effectively screened and treated. Most larger corporations have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to support employees who are having mental health problems, including substance abuse, financial problems and family issues. Screening services have gotten very sophisticated - online, telephonic, multilingual services tools that provide instant feedback make it easy for employees. Employers can add features such as on-line referrals to in-network providers. All of this is done anonymously, unobtrusively and is non-threatening.

Providers of these services estimate that 85% of people who need treatment are going untreated. With the advent of workplace screening and intervention programs, it is estimated that more people who need help will get it - and continue to be functional employees. That's a win for everyone.

Thank you Andrew3000 for Bad Day at the Office photo.

Labels: absenteeism, depression, screening, workplace

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