BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The powerful hospital-acquired bacteria Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus can cause dangerous infections that are resistant to many antibiotics, including penicillin and amoxicillin.

Although experts have known about this threat since the 1970s, debate continues about how common the infection really is. A controversial survey of U.S. hospitals has suggested the bacteria may be much more widespread than previously thought.

The Association for Professionals in Infection and Epidemiology compiled data on MRSA infections from its members and affiliates. They found an average of 34 out of every 1,000 hospital patients has a MRSA infection, which is more than eight times higher than previously reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These numbers, however, included patients who contracted the bacteria at the hospital, as well as those who came in with the infection. Additionally, the study did not measure a random sample of hospitals or patient populations.

While experts are skeptical of the validity of this study's findings, they agree that MRSA infections are a major problem. They have urged that hospitals continually test for the bacteria in high risk areas, like operating rooms, always use gloves and gowns with MRSA patients, and practice thorough cleaning methods in the hospital.