How to Prevent MDRO Infections

How to Prevent MDRO Infections

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotic medicines. This means that antibiotics cannot stop the bacteria from growing. Types of MDRO include:

  • Methicillin/oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
  • Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs).
  • Clostridium difficile (C. Difficile).
  • Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB).
  • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumonia (PRSP).
  • Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE).

Everyone has good and bad bacteria in his or her body, such as in the stomach or on the skin. Good bacteria help protect the body from infection. However, when you take an antibiotic medicine, it may kill both the good and bad bacteria, which then allows medicine-resistant bacteria to grow.

Infections caused by MDRO can be difficult to treat. It is important to follow certain safety measures to prevent the spread of MDRO.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop a MDRO infection if:

  • You were treated with an antibiotic medicine for a long time.
  • You have been in the hospital for a long time.
  • You recently had major surgery, such as chest or abdominal surgery.
  • You have a weakened disease-fighting (immune) system. This may be caused by an illness, long-term (chronic) condition, or medical treatment.
  • You have a catheter that has stayed in for a long time, such as a urinary catheter or vascular access device.

MDRO are usually spread through hands that have the germs (contaminated hands). MDRO may also be spread through:

  • Medical equipment that was not cleaned properly.
  • Shared personal items, such as razors or towels.
  • Contaminated surfaces, such as a bathroom counter or sink.
  • Undercooked or raw meat. Animals treated with antibiotics may have medicine-resistant bacteria.
  • Water or vegetables contaminated with animal feces.

How is this treated?

MDRO infections are usually treated with antibiotic medicines that are taken by mouth (oral antibiotics). Treatment depends on the type of MDRO you have. MDRO infections are difficult to treat, and you may need to be hospitalized. Depending on how severe your infection is, you may need other treatments such as:

  • IV antibiotics.
  • High-dose antibiotics.
  • More than one antibiotic.
  • Antibiotics that you breathe in (inhaled antibiotics), if you have pneumonia.
  • A machine to help you breathe (ventilator).

What actions can be taken?

What hospitals are doing:

  • Encouraging staff, patients, and visitors to wash hands often with soap and warm water, and to use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
  • Taking extra steps to prevent infection (contact precautions) with patients who are infected with MDRO. Contact precautions include:
    • Having all healthcare workers and visitors wash their hands before and after leaving the room.
    • Having all healthcare workers and visitors wear a gown and gloves while in the room, and asking them throw away the gown and gloves before leaving the room.
  • Prescribing antibiotic medicines only when they are needed. Over-prescribing antibiotic medicines can help the spread of MDRO.
  • Keeping patients with MDRO in a room by themselves (isolation) or placing them in rooms with other patients who are already infected with MDRO.
  • Carefully cleaning and disinfecting hospital rooms and equipment.
  • Improving communication about which patients are infected with MDRO or who have been infected in the past.
  • Closely monitoring and tracking MDRO infections.
  • Educating staff and patients about the signs of infection.

What you can do:

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Take antibiotic medicines only when needed. Do not take antibiotic medicines for viral infections such as the common cold.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it only as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Do not share antibiotic medicines with others.
  • Do not share personal items, such as bath towels or razors.
  • If you have a catheter, care for it as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all wounds clean and dry. Follow your health care provider’s instructions about how to care for any wounds you have.
  • Practice safe food handling. This includes:
    • Washing all fruits and vegetables.
    • Washing all utensils that have come in contact with raw meat.
    • Keeping a separate cutting board for raw meat.
    • Cooking meat thoroughly. All poultry (including chicken and turkey) should be cooked to at least 165°F (74°C). Ground beef, pork, or lamb should be cooked to at least 160°F (71°C), and whole beef, pork, or lamb should be cooked to at least 145°F (63°C).
    • Washing your hands with soap and warm water before and after cooking, especially after handling raw meat.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often. Use solutions or products that contain bleach. Do this on a regular basis.

What visitors can do:

Although it is rare, visitors can be infected with MDRO. To prevent this, visitors should:

  • Wash their hands with soap and warm water before and after visiting you. If soap and water are not available, they can use hand sanitizer.
  • Ask your health care provider if they need to wear gloves and gowns when they visit you. If they do need to wear these, make sure they throw away the gloves and gowns before they leave your room.

Where to find more information

You can find more information about preventing MDRO infections from:

Summary

  • MDRO are bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotic medicines.
  • You are more likely to be infected with a MDRO if you have been taking an antibiotic medicine for a long time or have been hospitalized for a long time.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it exactly as told by your health care provider.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Ask your health care provider whether your visitors need to wear gloves and gowns when visiting you.
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