Antimicrobial Resistance
More than two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths are attributed to infections with antimicrobial-resistant organisms in the United States each year, which translates to approximately 260,000 illnesses and nearly 3,000 deaths among Californians. Infections with resistant organisms are more difficult to treat and are associated with prolonged hospital stays and greater disability and death compared with infections caused by susceptible organisms. There are currently few antibiotics left in the treatment arsenal against resistant infections and even fewer new drugs in the development pipeline.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013 Report (PDF). Two healthcare-associated pathogens,
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), are highlighted as requiring Urgent attention. These organisms are considered high-consequence threats because of multiple factors, including minimal progress in past efforts to decrease
C. difficile infections and the lack of available treatment options for many CRE infections.
Please click on the links below to learn about the CDPH HAI Program's activities to combat antimicrobial-resistance in California.
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CDI Information
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CRE Information
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CDC's
Threat Report classifies MRSA as a Serious threat. Staph bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. Although still common and severe threat to patients, invasive MRSA infections in healthcare settings appear to be declining. This success began by the focused prevention of central-line associated bloodstream infections, many of which were due to MRSA.
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Candida auris
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Core actions to prevent resistance include improving antimicrobial prescribing through stewardship, reducing infections, and preventing transmission of resistant bacteria.
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Antimicrobial Stewardship Information
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