Coordinated response urged for emerging superbug

A simulation of how the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) might spread among healthcare facilities found that coordinated efforts prevented more than 75 percent of the infections that would have otherwise occurred over a five-year period. according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health simulated how CRE would spread across healthcare facilities in Orange County, Calif.

When coordinate efforts among facilities were used, 77 percent of total infections were prevented by the fifth year. Moderate control measures averted 21.3 percent. 

The findings stress the importance of advance planning. Researchers said the three main barriers to a coordinated approach are culture, competition and practicality. 

Read the article.