JUPITER ISLAND, Florida/November 23, 2007 - With the incidents of potentially deadly antibiotic-resistant staph infections ( MRSA -- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) reported on the rise in the Treasure Coast, Physicians Immediate Care, one of the region's premier providers of ambulatory and urgent health care, will provide low cost testing for the bacteria. The testing will take place from November 26-30 and December 3-7 at Physicians Immediate Care's Western Office in Southwestern Port St. Lucie, located at 4007 SW Port St Lucie Blvd.

"Our main goal is to identify carriers early on and quickly so that we can isolate and prevent the spread to other people in our community," said Kenneth Palestrant, MD, founder of Physicians Immediate Care. Approximately 25-30 % of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with Staph bacteria. Approximately 1 % are colonized with MRSA. To determine whether a person is infected with the potentially deadly infection, a nose swab culture is taken.

"The sample will be tested for staph. If staph is detected, another simple lab test will determine if it is MRSA," said Dr. Palestrant.

There is a nominal $35 fee for the test to cover the costs of the lab. If it is determined the person is infected with the antibiotic resistant staph, they will need tofollow up with their health care provider for evaluation and treatment. This consists of using an antibiotic cream applied to the nasal cavity. The results of the test will take approximately a week and every patient will receive a phone call with the results of their test, whether it is positive or negative. "This is our way of helping to stop the spread of this dangerous scenario in our community. We urge anyone who thinks they may have the infection to visit our office for this low cost MRSA test," concluded Dr. Palestrant.

The first episode of MRSA occurred in the United States in 1968 and was limited to hospitalized patients. From 1974 to 1997 the number of cases in hospitalized patients increased more than 35 percent. Now a red flag has been raised with increasing reports of "community-acquired" MRSA infections locally and throughout the Treasure Coast. "Many people think that they have been bitten by a spider, but in reality they have a MRSA infection brewing" said Dr. Palestrant.

Staph can be transmitted person-to-person via hand contact, through nasal discharge, and from infected skin lesions. With this in mind, Physicians Immediate Care reminds residents that there are a number of things that they can do to help protect themselves from accidentally contracting MRSA. They offer these tips:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Keep cuts bandaged and covered until they are healed.
• Avoid contact with other people's wounds.
• Don't share personal items, such as towels or razors.

Physicians Immediate Care measures its success through patient satisfaction and extraordinary care. Physicians Immediate Care also offers employers professional services for workers compensation, routine exams, and drug testing. Physicians Immediate Care provides a convenient, cost effective alternative to emergency rooms and doctor's offices from their original facilities at 1900 SE Port Saint Lucie Boulevard and at 4007 SW Port Saint Lucie Boulevard in the Paar Center. For additional information call (772) 398-1588 or (772) 343-1774. # # #