HOSPITAL TAKES PRECAUTIONS AGAINST SCABIES.Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Daily News Staff Writer Patients and staff in a Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital ward were treated Wednesday for scabies scabies (skā`bēz), highly contagious parasitic skin disease caused by the itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). The disease is also known as itch. as a precaution after it was confirmed that an employee was infected by the skin disease, a hospital spokeswoman said. A cream applied topically to the body was administered to patients Wednesday in the 20- to 30-bed diagnostic observation unit after a staff member in that department was diagnosed with scabies, said hospital spokeswoman Janice Newbold. "We are treating all current patients even though they are not exhibiting symptoms," she said. Hospital officials also notified physicians who have had patients in the observation unit over the past six weeks and might have been exposed, Newbold said. Easily transmitted, scabies is a skin disease caused by a parasitic mite - the itch mite itch mite n. A parasitic mite that burrows into the skin and causes scabies. - that burrows beneath the skin of humans, cattle and sheep to deposit eggs. The infestation infestation /in·fes·ta·tion/ (-fes-ta´shun) parasitic attack or subsistence on the skin and/or its appendages, as by insects, mites, or ticks; sometimes used to denote parasitic invasion of the organs and tissues, as by helminths. causes severe itching itching or pruritus Stimulation of nerve endings in the skin, usually incited by histamine, that evokes a desire to scratch. It is often transient and easily relieved. Pathological itching with skin changes usually signals dermatologic disease. as well as a red rash. Newbold did not know late Wednesday how many patients or former patients might need preventive treatment preventive treatment n. See prophylactic treatment. , she said. The hospital also notified any employees who have worked in the observation unit over the past six weeks and ordered treatment. Hospital administrators were notified by the infected employee Wednesday. The employee was diagnosed by a private dermatologist, after the worker complained of symptoms, Newbold said. The hospital's infection-control department contacted the county Health Services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract Department about the single diagnosis and received approval of its plan to prevent an outbreak, Newbold said. Scabies is treated with a cream applied to the body and left for eight hours, Newbold said. |
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