State to track MRSA cases in Washington hospitals

Washington health officials said they will start tracking MRSA hospital cases and will require hospitals to use federal guidelines in controlling the potentially fatal, drug-resistant bacteria. Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky emphasized her agency's ongoing actions in controlling the germ. She said hospital tracking of MRSA cases began for the first time in October, through changes in a uniform tracking system. She said her department will analyze the data for trends.