BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Surgical patients are especially vulnerable to hospital infections because the operation involves breaking the skin, which normally forms a barrier to harmful bacteria.

Some patients develop infections from the hospital, but many actually bring the bacteria with them right in their noses. In fact, studies estimate that 80 percent of hospital infections caused by staph bacteria originate from the patients themselves.

But a new study from the Netherlands has found that testing patients for bacteria before their operations allows doctors to treat the problem and reduce the odds of infection.

Doctors used a nasal swab to screen the participants for staph bacteria when they were admitted. Half of the patients received a topical antibiotic cream to put in their noses for several days prior to surgery, as well as daily baths with a special soap.

Results showed that those who used the cream and soap cut their odds of a staph infection by nearly 60 percent.

Experts said that screening and treatment may be most important for people having high-risk operations, such as open heart surgery or a hip replacement .