Join the Resistance

摘要

A recent outbreak of antibiotic-resistant bacteria at an NIH hospital killed seven people ("Mutants," page 98). But writer Carl Zimmer didn't fret about visiting the ICU where it began. "I've written books about parasites and viruses, so I've already reached maximum paranoia," he says. "I know there's not a lot I can do to protect myself." Still, the experts he spoke with said that we can all help pressure hospitals to improve. "When we're deciding where to seek care, we should pick a medical center that has fewer deaths from hospital-acquired infections," Zimmer says, "not just the one with the top-ranked cardiologist."