Antimicrobial Resistance​​

Newly updated:

• Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter Quicksheet (PDF)

• Algorithm for Prioritizing Carbapenemase Testing (PDF)

• Tier 2 Pathogen Screening Decision Tree (PDF)

More than 2.8 million illnesses and 35,000 deaths are attributed to infections with antimicrobial-resistant organisms in the United States each year, which translates to approximately 360,000 illnesses and nearly 4,500 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, 2019 Report (PDF). Four healthcare-associated pathogens, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, Candida auris (C. auris), Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), are highlighted as requiring Urgent threats, and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is included as a Serious threat. These organisms are particularly concerning because of multiple factors, including the potential to easily spread in healthcare settings, and the lack of available treatment options.

Please click on the links below to learn about the CDPH HAI Program's activities to combat antimicrobial-resistance in California.

​CDI Information		CRE ​Information
​ ​CDC's Threat Report (PDF) 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.
Candida auris		​MRSA Information (coming soon)
​Core actions to prevent resistance include improving antimicrobial prescribing through stewardship, reducing infections, and preventing transmission of resistant bacteria.
Antimicrobial Stewardship ​Information
​Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll
​California Antimicrobial Resistance Lab-Epi Alliance