Skip to Main Content
Don't have an account? Create Account
x
Don't have an account? Create Account

CDC Unveils Containment Strategy for Antibiotic-Resistant Germs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a containment strategy for slowing the spread of germs with unusual resistance.

The CDC identified 221 instances of unusually resistant genes in “nightmare” bacteria nationwide in 2017. These germs resist all or most antibiotics, are uncommon in a geographic area, or have special genes that enable them to spread their resistance. More than 23,000 Americans die annually from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs.

In an April 2018 Vital Signs report, CDC outlines a five-step containment process:

  • rapid identification;
  • infection control assessments;
  • colonization screenings;
  • coordinated response between facilities; and
  • continued assessment and screenings after detection.

The report also shares how health departments in Tennessee and Iowa responded to outbreaks of antibiotic resistance and includes resources for state and local health departments, labs, and health care providers. The agency will hold a virtual town hall on April 10 at 2 pm ET to share case studies of states that have implemented the containment strategy.

Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.

Share

About the Author

Emily Schweich is a communications manager at America's Essential Hospitals.

Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this