The status of surveillance for antibiotic resistance in VT hospitals was reviewed as part of a project for an MPH/PMR program. Prior survey data and the current literature were reviewed, meetings were held with hospital lab directors and with infection control practitioners and data entered for all labs onto a spreadsheet from a standard interview form. Compared to 1995, more microbiology testing is done w/in the state. All labs use the same C&S standards, 14/16 labs use automated methods and prepare an annual antibiogram. Although data on patients vs isolates and infection vs colonization are not consistently separable,increases in MRSA, VRE and DRSP clearly have occurred since 1995. There was interesting geographic variation in VRE. DRSP increased from 5 to 15 hospitals. The findings are not surprising, and are consistent with national trends. Strategies such as retrospective audits, automatic stop orders, physician education and practice guidelines have not been effective. Development of a sentinel hospital approach, collaboration with other state funding/licensing agencies, and education of specific public targets (e.g., parents) on appropriate use of antibiotics may be of value.
Learning Objectives: Listeners will hear results of one state's evaluation of antibiotic resistance and surveillance of same, leading them to develop a method for their own use or to identify ways to evaluate and improve such surveillance
Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Vermont Department Health
Unidentified laboratories serving Vermont patients
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I work for the VT Dep't. of Health