Without nationwide improvements in infection control and antibiotic prescribing, drug-resistant infections and C. difficile are expected to increase, but coordinated efforts could prevent 619,000 infections over 5 years.
Without nationwide improvements in infection control and antibiotic prescribing, drug-resistant infections and C. difficile are expected to increase, according to projections from CDC. However, coordinated efforts by federal agencies, healthcare facilities, and public health departments could prevent 619,000 antibiotic resistant and C. difficile infections and save 37,000 lives over 5 years, according to the latest CDC Vital Signs.
The CDC researchers used data from the National Healthcare Safety Network and Emerging Infections Program to project the number of infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria or C. difficile both with and without national intervention, such as improved antibiotic stewardship.
“Antibiotic resistant infections in health care settings are a growing threat in the United States, killing thousands and thousands of people each year,” CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, said in a statement. “We can dramatically reduce these infections if health care facilities, nursing homes, and public health departments work together to improve antibiotic use and infection control so patients are protected.”
Current estimates have determined that antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths each year in the United States.
The researchers estimated that when carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is first introduced, with no augmented intervention the prevalence of CRE infection after 5 years could be 12.2%. However, with an augmented approach, the prevalence would be 2.1% after 5 years.
The Vital Signs report recommended a 2-part approach to prevent illnesses:
“We must transform our public health response to turn the tide,” said Beth Bell, MD, MPH, director of CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. “The coordinated response this Vital Signs report describes is a forward-looking approach.”
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen
Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
Listen
Homelessness Compounds Hospital Stay Challenges: Study Reveals Prolonged Discharge Struggles
March 28th 2024In this investigation, outcomes of interest were morbidity rate and length of hospital stay or a traumatic injury among a homeless population, and whether age and/or injury severity had an influence on that relationship—with implications for improving the discharge process for these patients.
Read More
FDA Approves Vadadustat for Anemia in Patients With CKD Undergoing Dialysis
March 28th 2024The FDA approved vadadustat (Vafseo), an oral medication, to treat anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis for at least 3 months. This fills a need for a new treatment option as anemia is common in these patients and can significantly impact their quality of life.
Read More