TV show you may find interesting

[buffettgirl]

PBS stations are airing a series called Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge this month. The episode titled Rise of Superbugs is about antibiotic resistant bacteria and part of it was filmed at the institution I work at. The show covers a young man who was on the football team of a local college. He got a minor injury at practice. The cut got infected with one of these "superbugs" and he died. I planted the agar plates they filmed to show the organism. I don't know if they will include this in the show or not but if they do, I will be happy to send you an autograph! Check your local PBS stations for times.

 

[Miss Lee]

I want your autograph!! I didn't realize my friend in wordsmithery was a celebrity.

I'm assuming you work in a hospital somewhere. I'm an old retired nurse.

Michele

 

[materialsgirl]

That's really cool, Robin! Your agar plates are going to be famous! Can I get the autograph of the organism?

 

[buffettgirl]

Michele and Emily, autographs are in the mail. Yes, Michele, I work in a hospital lab microbiology department. And it's frightening how common the organism that killed the young man has become.

 

[Joni]

Catheland is such a small world! I have a loose link to this program too.

A segment in Program 4 (Deadly Messengers) features the program I work for (Mectizan Donation Program) where we get medicine donated by Merck to people infected with river blindness disease caused by black fly bites. This disease isn't fatal, but with a once-yearly dose of Mectizan, they don't get the severe itching and skin rash caused by infection and we can prevent them from the vision problems and ultimate blindness caused by the disease.

There is some amazing work going on out there in global health and medicine. Stories like the ones in this PBS series always remind me that in spite of allergy troubles, a little fatigue here and there, I am very lucky to have my health and to have access to excellent health care.

Look forward to seeing the segment on antibiotic resistant bacteria and hopefully your agar plates! You don't work for CDC do you?

Joni

 

[buffettgirl]

Joni!
You're right! It truley is a small world. I work at the Williamsport Hospital, which was in the last case study discussed on the program. It was the one in which the Lycoming College football player became infected with MRSA and died. And, yes indeed, they did show "our" agar plates! It was kind of a funny story. The crew was filming up in ICU all day, and didn't get down to the lab until most of 1st shift had gone home. The crew said they were running behind and to save time, they wanted to TAKE THE MRSA UP TO ICU (!!!) to film. I guess they weren't paying any attention to their own story.
Now I'll have to be sure to watch your episode.

 

[brickhouse]

I saw a little bit last night but didn't end up seeing your agar plates. I honestly wouldn't watch something like that if it wasn't for your post, but it was very interesting. But the fact that Brad Pitt narrated....made it just a little easier to watch the small pox portion.

Have fun with your new fame!

Jeanette

 

[Joni]

>Now I'll have to be sure to watch your episode.

Me too }(

I was actually invited to a preview showing at CDC last week, but declined so I wouldn't miss my evening workout. I have my priorities!

I can't believe they would even consider taking the MRSA to ICU of all places! Um, hello? Let's take the biohazard to ICU where people are most vulnerable! Unreal! Interesting story though - that should be included in the DVD extras

Joni