### Staph Bloodstream Infections in Dialysis Patients A recent CDC report highlights that Black and Hispanic people on dialysis have higher rates of staph bloodstream infections compared to White people. Specifically, Hispanic patients have a 40% higher risk. Overall, dialysis patients are 100 times more likely to get a staph infection than the general population. #### Why is this happening? 1. **Higher Risk of Kidney Failure**: Black and Hispanic people have a higher risk of kidney failure, which leads to a higher percentage of these groups undergoing dialysis. Kidney failure is four times more common among Black people and twice as common among Hispanics compared to White people. 2. **Contaminated Needles or Catheters**: Staph infections occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream, often through contaminated needles or catheters used during dialysis. 3. **Serious Consequences**: Staph infections are serious and can sometimes be deadly. Infections are the second leading cause of death among dialysis patients. #### Prevention Preventing staph bloodstream infections starts with early detection of chronic kidney disease to delay or avoid the need for dialysis. Healthcare providers can promote preventive measures such as managing diabetes and high blood pressure, and educating patients about treatment options to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. According to the CDC, more than 800,000 people in the U.S. live with kidney failure, and 70% of them are on dialysis. People of color make up a disproportionate percentage of these patients, with Black and Hispanic individuals together accounting for half of the dialysis population. CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry emphasizes the importance of early detection and preventive practices to reduce the risk of staph bloodstream infections in dialysis patients.