The emerging threat from carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae

Nurs Womens Health. 2013 Dec;17(6):519-24. doi: 10.1111/1751-486X.12080.

Abstract

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the United States represents a serious danger to people who are hospitalized and is associated with case mortality rates as high as 50 percent. CRE infections have limited treatment options and the potential to spread widely if prevention and transmission measures are not employed. Decreasing the impact of CRE requires coordinated efforts between nurses and other clinicians, as well as administrators, to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: CRE; carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae; infection control; patient safety.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carbapenems / adverse effects*
  • Carbapenems / therapeutic use
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy*
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / prevention & control
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / transmission
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbapenems