On August 4, CDC released a new Vital Signs report highlighting how to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance. The report includes modeling that predicts increases in drug-resistant infections and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) without immediate, nationwide improvements in infection control and antibiotic prescribing. Antibiotic-resistant germs, those that no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them, cause more than 2 million illnesses and at least 23,000 deaths each year in the United States.

In addition to tangible steps local health departments can take, the report recommends a coordinated, two-part approach to turn this data into action, which includes the following:

1. Public health departments should track and alert healthcare facilities to drug-resistant outbreaks in their area and the threat of germs coming from other facilities, and
2. Healthcare facilities should work together and with public health authorities to implement shared infection control actions to stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant germs and C. difficile between facilities.

NACCHO’s Executive Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck also provided a local perspective about the challenges of fighting super bugs and steps to take to fight back in an August 4 article in USA Today. Read more