Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens associated with healthcare-associated infections: summary of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009-2010

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 Jan;34(1):1-14. doi: 10.1086/668770. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Abstract

Objective: To describe antimicrobial resistance patterns for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) during 2009-2010.

Methods: Central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections were included. Pooled mean proportions of isolates interpreted as resistant (or, in some cases, nonsusceptible) to selected antimicrobial agents were calculated by type of HAI and compared to historical data.

Results: Overall, 2,039 hospitals reported 1 or more HAIs; 1,749 (86%) were general acute care hospitals, and 1,143 (56%) had fewer than 200 beds. There were 69,475 HAIs and 81,139 pathogens reported. Eight pathogen groups accounted for about 80% of reported pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus (16%), Enterococcus spp. (14%), Escherichia coli (12%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (11%), Candida spp. (9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (and Klebsiella oxytoca; 8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8%), and Enterobacter spp. (5%). The percentage of resistance was similar to that reported in the previous 2-year period, with a slight decrease in the percentage of S. aureus resistant to oxacillins (MRSA). Nearly 20% of pathogens reported from all HAIs were the following multidrug-resistant phenotypes: MRSA (8.5%); vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (3%); extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca (2%), E. coli (2%), and Enterobacter spp. (2%); and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (2%), K. pneumoniae/oxytoca (<1%), E. coli (<1%), and Enterobacter spp. (<1%). Among facilities reporting HAIs with 1 of the above gram-negative bacteria, 20%-40% reported at least 1 with the resistant phenotype.

Conclusion: While the proportion of resistant isolates did not substantially change from that in the previous 2 years, multidrug-resistant gram-negative phenotypes were reported from a moderate proportion of facilities.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Catheter-Related Infections / epidemiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Enterococcus / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Phenotype
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / microbiology
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology