Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) and Outbreak Situations

- Scope and Purpose

The scope of managing MDROs and outbreak situations generally includes:

● Healthcare Settings: Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care centers, and any other setting where healthcare is provided.

● MDROs: Specific types of MDROs may vary, but commonly include bacteria like MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile, as well as  fungi such as Candida auris and other resistant organisms.

● Outbreak Situations: Any instance where the number of cases of an MDRO exceeds what would be expected in a particular setting.

The purpose of managing MDROs and outbreak situations is to:

● Prevent the spread of infection: Protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors from MDROs.

● Maintain a safe environment: Create a safe and hygienic environment for healthcare delivery.

● Improve patient outcomes: Reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with MDRO infections.

● Comply with infection control guidelines: Adhere to established infection control standards and regulations.

● Optimize resource utilization: Minimize the impact of MDROs on healthcare resources.

By effectively managing MDROs and outbreak situations, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and improve the overall quality of patient care.