tonight we take a deeper look at hospital acquired infections and why they are difficult to contain and treat. this week two died and 200 others were exposed to a super-bug in southern california. we begin with science and technology correspondent jake ward. >> we are sorry about the anxiety and concern that the

situation imposed for the patients and community. >> reporter: warnings are going outs to 179 patients treated at u.c.l.a. 's ronald reagan medical center all exposed to cre, a super-bug. it has been linked to two deaths and infected five others. >> it's a potent organism that can cause death. >> reporter: centers for disease control says it can be fatal if it reaches the bloodstream. healthy people don't normally attract it. it strikes in hospitals, nursing homes and is linked to endoscopes inserted down the throats of 500,000 patients each year to treat cancer and other ailments of the digestive system. u.c.l.a. says the bacteria was found on two devices. hospitals clean the scope, but

the food and drug administration says the design makes the process difficult. >> if it's not cleaned out appropriately, then it can spread from one person officials at u.c.l.a. said they stopped using the instruments and send at-home testing kits to at least 100 patients. thursday the f.d.a. issued a warning saying following cleaning instructions may not be enough to eliminate the bacteria. >> jake ward reporting. many are asking are hospitals doing enough to protect patients from infection. a malpractice attorney says no. courtney kealy has more. >> reporter: david lost both his arms and legs after a hospital stay to treat an ulcer lead to an infection that doctors failed to treat early enough. he won $7.5 million in a malpractice suit against a dallas hospital. >> we receive several calls a

week dealing with hospital-acquired infections. they are issues when a hospital has not implemented and followed and affected infection control programs. they are issues where a medical device has not occurred properly, and is an issue again when an infection is missed. >> reporter: some struggles and bacteria known as superdrugs have a point where antibiotics can't stop them. like the ones in southern california, they kill half the victims. >> the issue of antibiotic resistance and overuse and misuse are pressing public concerns. they been a problem much they had recently become more significant. >> 47 states have reported cases, but there are no figures in the bacteria.

this is one of many infections common in hospitals. according to the u.s. department of health and human services one in trif patients has an infection. cost costing billions costing tens of thousands. >> patients have to be prepared to ask the hard questions - have you washed your hands, have you cleaned the stetho scope. is this clean, have you checked it. >> following procedures like regular handwashing is a critical barrier in the fight against super-bugs. the centers for disease control has not began. there is limited information.

to find out how well hospitals are dealing with the problem joining us to talk more about the risks associated with hospital. a doctor a professor of epidemiology. and another professor of infectious diseases at florida international. we appreciate you both joining us my father is an anesthesiologists, he said the worse place for a sick person is the hospital. i had to get older to understand that. this is a perfect example of what he talked about. how frustrating is it that a patient comes to the hospital to get better and can end up getting sick. how frustrating is that to you as a medical professional? . >> it's deeply frustrating. it's where we have anti-biotition to treat us and they have costs. some of them are that we have

bacteria in ways where the antibiotic armament doesn't work. >> would you like to weigh in on the assessment? >> he's right. antibiotics and resistance is part of the problem. problems with infections in locations where people are treated have always existed. time out of mind. for a variety of reasons. in part because people who come to hospital have a reason to come. >> sure. >> they have reasons why they are susceptible or you are performing surgery which opens them up allowing organisms to get in, as well as because there are people with infections others are exposed. there's many reasons. the other thing that we have to bear in mind is what you alluded to in the previous piece, what are the effects that people working at the hospital must do to reduce the risk that is inherent in coming to a health care facility. >> you said a bit. let's go back to talk about the

common hospital acquired infections. the ones that we know about, and some that we don't know about? >> the ones that we really worry about are mercer and others that are common and devastating. c.r.e.s are concerning, particularly among patients that have spent time in and out of the hospital care system. as the doctor alluded people that are sick. sick people are more likely to take antibiotics and be in the hospital. this creates a circumstance in which they are an area for the bacteria. >> do you have to give antibiotics to make these things go away? >> unfortunately yes but sometimes the use of antibiotics is not always appropriate. it's like a collective action. everyone wants to use it. doctors and patients - everyone wants to use the latest and

greatest. collectively sometimes we are not stewarding the antibiotics, creating super-bugs. creating millions of infections and deaths. >> you are talking about the numbers, we have graphics to show how bad this is. super-bugs immune to every weapon. that's bad news for patients. a million in the u.s. get infections resistant to antibiotic. 23,000 die as a result. while the super-bug nightmare is playing out in los angeles, it's making the rounds at other health care facilities around the countries. the cre bacteria is so prevalent. it hit all hospitals except alaska. does that mean as this plays out on the larger scale.

are medical professionals reminded of protocol. things that thu be top of mind. -- should be top of mind. >> a wonderful thing is the media. all the way through and the importants of every person who is a staff member. as well as having a programme. and patients know they can do this infection or clinic. >> that is wonderful. what you said. i don't think a lot of the people realise they can play a role in this. >> what type of things are they

talking about. they are visiting someone. diabetes immune compromised situation. make sure that they wear clean clothing, that sort of thing, and if necessary, wear gloves and marketses. the patient themselves has to be attuned. as to how they washed their hands, and something alluded to earlier - questioning the physician "you didn't wear that white coat to see someone sicker than me did you, doc?" >> has anyone said that to you? >> i think that's the reality of practicing medicine. >> of course. >> as an epidemiologist it's important that two things happen we tackle this from two angles. >> okay. >> the first as dr mardy noted,

being your own best advocate bringing it back into the consciousness, it's important to push the hospitals in the direction to make sure the hospitals are in and out of rooms, they are watching their hands, glowing and counselling when that is appropriate and cleaning the equipment. these are the things the good news here is that hospital acquired infections have been down. we have an outbreak it's important to recognise doctors are doing these things. it's important to think about how both sides of this work. >> both of you said this has been around for decades, but we are making progress. what would you say is responsible for the progress that we have made in making the numbers go down? >> we are recognising fore most that unfortunately there's an arms race between us and the bacteria. we can design create research develop antibiotics that are

powerful. we have to that bacteria will e voef mechanisms that protect themselves. in that respect, there's an arms race. sometimes you don't necessarily need a nuclear bomb for something. doctors are thinking about this as they think about how to treat their patient. there's a lot of awareness about how important it is to wash hands, how important it is to make sure that instrumentation is cleaned and washed before use in other patients. in the end this is leading to an outcome which we hope which is the case that people can go to the hospital get the best care deserved and leave healthier than they came. >> is the bottom line besides all of these things that it is important. does it help to get the patient out of the hospital as quickly as possible. >> it does. i want to echo that it is important that we focus on which antibiotics for which infection.

that slaps around a broad spectrum antibiotics which may or may not be the best for an individual. it was an centring thing about the evolution of the bacteria. it bombs antibiotic resistant. it's wearing personal equipment. it's not comfy in it. if we reduce the exposure, we can reverse to a certain degree the evolutionary process, because the bacteria would rather not make the substitutions. >> let's hope the hospital workers who do the best they can stay on their toes so we can stop this in their tracks. >> thank you both very much. >> thank you for having us. >> coming up on al jazeera america 1.4 million employees at

wal-mart may receive wages silicon valley has developed a trend of old-fashioned discrimination.

a massive backlog of goods is getting ready to be unloaded after a deal between labor and managements. it ends months of negotiations. workers have been without a contract and could take more to clear the backlog. a nationwide oil refinery strike spread to port arthur texas and other refineryiesrefineries. the expanse has many workers added to the strike beginning on feb 1st at texas and california a closer look at those affected by the dispute. bisi onile-ere shows us the reasons behind it and the people it affects. >> reporter: 31-year-old amy

perry is a single mum. she has worked at the bp refinery for five years, the strike makes her future uncertain. how long could you go without a job? with four kids? >> not long. not long at all. i think i can comfortably a month, but if i stretch and push, maybe two. that is taking everything out of the equation going back to eating basics. >> reporter: the walk out has not gone on long enough for strike pay to kick in. some of these workers earnt about $30 an hour. many of them say they saved money in anticipation of a strike. for those who didn't they are looking for temporary work. >> i look through craig's lift for temp work. >> reporter: the nationwide walk out began when united steel workers union talks and shell oil, the lead contract

negotiators for new oil companies broke down. it set the stage for the largest oil workers strike in the u.s. since 1980. >> i am sure there's a few people on the line who are terrified. >> absolutely. it's a very strange time. anxious time for all of us. >> in the past many have been killed on the job. the u.s. w says hiring unioners will make the workplace safer. >> we have good wages and benefits. we work in a dangerous environment. so for us it's really about safety and staffing. if you can't go home solve ... >> reporter: the b.p. refineries in toledo and indiana is operating using replacement workers. the company told us in a statement:

university of toledo joseph slade says that there could be national implications. >> the interesting thing is of course, gas prices recently have gone to you know lows that we have not seen in decades. sure, if there was a significant decrease in production prices would go up and affect everybody. >> i wanted everything to be - i wanted a state refinery. that is most important, that i go to work come home see the children. >> the steel workers union - both sides are far from reaching remit. over a week into the strike and perry is among many hitting the picket line no matter the cost

the largest employer in the u.s. is trying to shake its image as a place for dead end jobs. wal-mart has increased the pay for nearly half of its work thoroughs. thoroughs. -- workforce. tom ackerman says it plans to improve training for staff. >> reporter: the giant that earnt more than $16 billion in profits is a symbol of corporate greed to union organizers and workers. >> the logo is save money live better, while the workers don't. >> reporter: now wal-mart says employees will be given more chances to advance. >> making changes to the pay, strengthening the opportunity to progress within the company and bring more choice in. >> reporter: the company says it will increase wages to $13 an hour. full-time workers. $10 for those working less than 40 hours a week.

it's below national averages for hourly rates. and what the lowest level staff are paid nationwide. they will offer part-timers more hours and a chance to pick more predictable schedules. the announcement comes as there is more shopper traffic, more for the past two years. it's after competition for better conditions for workers. wal-mart staff want the $15 minimum. >> it's not enough for a full-time worker to keep the family out of poverty. many are not full-time and have been asking for full-time. >> the white house have arrived congress to raise the minimum raise. half the states are raising their own.

some as much as what wal-mart will be offering some view wal-mart's wage increase as a win for the workers. others say it's not enough. >> it's a step in the right direction, certainly. but from their perspective, the government hasn't mandated this buts wal-mart made what is seen as a positive move but at the same time, you know there's the question of whether it's enough to keep the workers ahead of benefits wal-mart employees demanded a hike to $15 silicon valley is known for cutting edge innovation, but has a culture of far less forward thinking when it comes to agenda equality. we reveal what silicon valley fixes. >> it's like they trade guys until they have the right group.

>> reporter: h.b.o.s silicon valley, a satire seen as sexist as the place that inspires it. high tech is undeniably a boys club. look at the male to people male employ ratios at the powerhouses. the gender imbalance is finding its way, a fact that landed a c.e.o. in hot weather when he gave this advice to female tech workers that want a raise. >> it's not really about asking for the raise, but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the raises as you go along. >> reporter: within hours he admitted that he was completely wrong, but the foot in mouth moment helped draw attention to a culture that in recent years has taken steps towards misogamy from the app to this

screed by a young san francisco entrepreneur criticizing "girls who are 4s and behave like they are 9s." sexism is not unique but the stakes are higher, because innovations and start-ups spawned in places like silicon valley give the united states its competitive edge. failing to leverage the talent and ideas women bring, the whole country could lose out. >> we are probably losing out on important potential pioneering phases that could drive employment, that could change consumers or businesses lives. silicon valley venture capitalist has backed women-founded tech successes, including.coms. such female friendliness is an

exception. males are three times as likely to get angel or venture capital funding. a study found women-led tech firms have a 35% higher return on investment than males. still, silicon valley is scrutinized for sexist ways. >> my greatest fear is young women will be deterred from coming to silicon valley, joining the companies, starting their own, seeking careers with venture capital to miniskirts on the streets of istanbul razing awareness on violence towards women. many marched on thaksin square holding up signs. a 20-year-old student was stabbed and beaten to death allegedly by her would-be rapist.

the rapes are increasing. some say in relation to secular principles and women's rights coming up accusations that some countries are taking black history month promotions too far one of n.a.s.c.a.r.'s favourite drives is sidelined from the altona 500 due to domestic violence.

today marks 50 years since the assassination of malcolm x. a ceremony to honour the civil rights leader was held in harlem outside the ball room where he was murdered in 1965. it's been turned into the malcolm x memorial and educational center. his daughter says her father changed the course of the civil rights movement. >> my father was in his 20s when the world learnt of him. he was fascinated martyred you know at 39. and in 12 short years he made a

significant impact around the world. nelson mandela said when a man has served his country and his people he rescues himself. i think my father did a good job representing his people and his country. he was courageous. he only feared god. you know his work was to find the oneness of humanity. he circled the globe in the final month of his life. running for refuge because he knew in a matter of days he would be gone. he sought solutions to the human condition that would treat its fellow brother in the manner of death she was 2.5 years old when her father was killed. in february countries around the country roll out campaigns to celebrate black history

month, some have crossed the line to exploitation. >> reporter: it looks like a civil rights documentary. martin luther king's march on washington d.c. but, in fact it's a wal-mart add celebrating black history month. american companies like coke south-west airlines at&t celebrate black history month. it is not new, but the outrage over the ads this year is. >> anger, frustration. >> reporter: this person is an activist app organizers on social media, and we asked him to gauge what twitter follows felt. nickie's apparel, 28 products in black and white honouring black history. the question posted on twitter: nike says it celebrates athletes

and leaders with global culture, that's not how many saw it. >>: and another: >> reporter: many of the 32,000 followers are black, politically active, under 30 and outraged. >> this hit a nerve. exploiting culture for profit and gain is not honouring his death. >> reporter: he was one of many organizers behind the protest of ferguson and around the country. he says social event plays a huge role in the lives of young americans. >> mass media is the power to create and shape the narrative.

social media has a chance to marginalise, create and uplift narratives. >> and it's where they organise. >> you can send out a tweet saying everyone meet us here at this location in 15 minutes. and in 15 minutes, there's 100 or 200 at the location. >> 96% of blacks 18-29 use social media of some tight. more blacks. it's a phenomena referred to as black twitter. some of the popular hashtags of 2014 like: [ chanting ] >> reporter: it's one reason why companies like nike might want it one of n.a.s.c.a.r.'s top racers has been suspended indefinitely. kurt busch has been suspended

after assaulting his girlfriend. busch denies the claims and says he'll appeal the suspension that will keep him from competing in the altone a500. coming up. laying cable in the international space station post-traumatic stress disorder is portrayed in some of this year's oscar-nominated films.

>>lift and tilt the outer edge of the panel to release the panel that's what the cable guy sounds like when he is working 260 miles above the earth. two n.a.s.a. astronauts spent the morning reconfigureing part of the space station, running 174 feet of cable outside the station. two more space walks to complete the job. when it's done they'll be prepared to dock with a commercial spacecraft in 2017 the academy awards are tomorrow. a movie up for numerous offers

is getting a lot of attention. >> we have a responsibility by our veterans is warriors to provide them with care and benefit earnt when they come home. >> reporter: that is the promise, the reality... >> if that's what you want why make it hard. >> mike survived bombings in iraq, saw friends die, and they are still dying. it's post-traumatic stress disorder p.t.s.d. which is taking them now. it nearly took him. >> now it's hitting on a global scale, more veterans are killing themselves now than before. at an alarming rate. it keeps getting higher. we feel remorse, do you know what i mean? >> reporter: p.t.s.d. is big news in hollywood. "american sniper," a best picture contender is in focus because the man on trial for killing the real-life protagonist was, it's claimed, suffering the disorder. there's a strong dose of reality

in the best documentary shorts category this film a stark look at the men and women who man telephone help lines, talking to war veterans talking them out of killing themselves. there are around 22 million war veterans in the united states. in fact they represent under 10% of this country's homeless population. los angeles has the highest concentration and a hugely political issue. the mayor vowed to get them off the streets and into a home by the end of this year. they are 50% more likely to commit suicide than nonveterans, especially within three years of returning home. >> as for mike there has been dark times lots of them. it's getting easier. he says that is down to his dog who never lease his side and helped save his life. >> i planned out how i was going to exit this world. he got on the knife and signed

of shrugged down a little bit. you know i screamed "get off the knife" and he didn't. he looked at me. and i broke down and started crying. and grabbed him close and promised i would never do it again. and told him i would repay him. and thank you. >> reporter: the oscars may help show p.t.s.d. to the wider world. many struggle in silence. for mike he's trying to close the door on his experience. tomorrow, of course is a celebration of hollywood's best. tonight is about the worst. the rasies were handed out in tinsel town. the winners are - or losers - "annie" worst prequel remake

kirk cameron won worst actor and cameron diaz worst actress in "the other woman" and "sex tape", keep it here. >> hello and welcome to al jazeera live there our headquarters in de la. i'm elizabeth peranem. next. captured a town from boko haram in the northwest of the company. and ukraine in the dead of night. >> and the