Over the past two decades, infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) have steadily increased despite intensive, widespread efforts to limit their spread. In the past, MDROs affected primarily critically ill patients in hospitals, but in recent years, they have been increasingly seen in less ill patients and even in healthy persons in the community who have had no prior contact with the health care system. Parallel to the increase in infections caused by MDROs, more and more antibiotics have become less effective in treating these infections. Today, MDROs and antibiotic resistance are global health issues.

Here are some facts you need to know about the spread of MDROs:

• The increase of MDROs is believed to be caused mainly by antibiotic misuse and by the transmission of antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms among persons in health care settings and the community.




• The effects of MDRO infections can be devastating for patients who may suffer prolonged illness or death.




• Health care organizations can experience significant financial loss, negative media attention, and lawsuits due to MDRO infections.




• The incidence of MDROs and antibiotic resistance can be addressed by meticulous infection prevention practices and management of antibiotics.




• Health care providers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and others have been working to decrease MDROs with strategies ranging from hand hygiene to isolation precautions to rigorous antimicrobial stewardship programs. Although there has been some progress, there is more work to be done.




Because of our concern about the issues above, JCR selected the topic of MDROs and antibiotic resistance for its first learning community. We should be encouraged in our efforts that there are demonstrated methods for reducing risk and improving patient safety in this area. But we need to work together. As part of this learning community, we propose to collaborate with health care professionals to explore the important issue of MDROs and antibiotic resistance and to share resources and engage in open discussions to learn from one another.