Each year, 2 million people in the U.S. become infected with multi-drug resistant organisms. 

The most common multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) include: 

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 
  
• Staphylococcus aureus with resistance to vancomycin (VISA/VRSA) 
  
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) 
  
• Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacilli (ESBLs) 
  
• Multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDRSP) 
  
• Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) 
  
• Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter 
  

Not only can MDROs result in longer hospital stays and complications for patients, they can also drive up the cost of care for hospitals. It is more important than ever for IHA and our member hospitals to understand how to prevent the spread of MDROs in our facilities. 

How to control MDROs 

The CDC reports that successful control of MDROs have been achieved using a variety of combined interventions, including: 

• Improvement in hand hygiene 
  
• Use of Contact Precautions until patients are culture-negative for a target MDRO 
  
• Active surveillance cultures 
  
• Education 
  
• Enhanced environmental cleaning 
  
• Improvements in communication about patients with MDROs within and between health care facilities 
  

MDRO prevention strategies—combined with a robust antimicrobial stewardship  campaign—can help hospitals identify emerging strains and reduce MDROs and the harm associated with them. 

By 2018, IHA members participating in the Health Research & Educational Trust’s Hospital Improvement Innovation Network hope to reduce MDROs by at least 20 percent. 

»   Find out more about MDROs