Multidrug-Resistant Organisms

Clumps of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria

Janice Haney, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, e.g., bloodstream, pneumonia, bone infections, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, and dialysis centers.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Clostridium difficile, and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli, have emerged as important pathogens in many healthcare facilities
Such organisms are of special concern because few antibiotics are available to treat patients with infections caused by these pathogens
Infections caused by MDROs are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays and increased hospital costs
As a result, limiting the spread of these organisms has become a national priority