CDC: COVID-19 Pandemic Undid Years of Progress in Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance
The pandemic erased years of progress in combating antibacterial resistance, according to a report from the CDC.
Prepandemic results: Studies from 2019 found a decrease in deaths from antimicrobial-resistant infections by 18% from 2012 to 2017 because of “nationwide investments.” The reductions continued until 2020.
The perfect storm: During the first year of the pandemic (2020), hospital-onset infections and deaths increased by 15%. Over 29,400 people died from healthcare-related antimicrobial-resistant infections.
“The pandemic pushed public health near breaking point in 2020. CDC saw a significant increase in antimicrobial use and difficulty in following infection prevention and control guidance, resulting in an increase of antimicrobial-resistant healthcare-associated infections in US hospitals,” said Arjun Srinivasan, MD, a CDC deputy director in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion.
Steps to protect patients: Advice to combat antimicrobial resistance includes practicing infection prevention and control, improving prescribing methods, and encouraging patients to prevent infections.
New Accrediting Option as NBPAS Gets Credentialing Authority
Physicians have new avenue for maintaining board certification from the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS), which was recently acknowledged by the Joint Commission as a credentialing body.
The NBPAS can now be used by hospitals and health systems for physician credentialing and privileging requirements.
A less expensive option: NBPAS’ recertification costs 72% less on average than other recertification pathways.
Less burdensome too: NBPAS claims the physician-led board recertification pathway reduces administrative burdens for physicians.
NBPAS’s recertification is accepted by more than 157 entities, including hospitals, health systems, and telemedicine companies.
World’s First HIV+ to HIV+ Heart Transplant Performed
A heart from a donor with HIV was transplanted into a recipient living with HIV for the first time ever at Montefiore Health System in New York City.
A long time coming: It comes 9 years after passage in 2013 of the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which made the transplant possible.
A win-win for everybody: HIV-positive patients may have a better chance of getting a heart quickly, since donor hearts from HIV-positive patients can only go to HIV-positive patients. People who don’t have HIV also benefit when a person with HIV receives a heart and is removed from the list.
Strict eligibility requirements: Recipients’ HIV must be perfectly controlled, and patients must have undetectable virus levels. They also need to meet the criteria for heart transplantation.
Kaitlin Edwards is a staff medical editor based in New York City. You can follow her on Twitter @kaitmedwards. For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.