Making Health Care Safer PSA (:60)

Making Health Care Safer PSA (:60)

Lethal infections from CRE germs are on the rise in medical facilities. CRE, or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, have become resistant to nearly all, and in some cases, all antibiotics. About half of hospital patients who get CRE bloodstream infections die. Health care providers can help stop CRE infections before they become widespread.

• Ask if a patient has received medical care somewhere else, including another country;

• Identify patients in your facility who have CRE;

• When a patient transfers, alert the receiving facility about any infections;

• Follow contact precautions when treating patients with CRE;

• Dedicate rooms, equipment, and staff to CRE patients, if possible;

• Prescribe antibiotics carefully;

• Remove temporary medical devices as soon as possible; and

• Encourage your facility to join regional prevention programs.

To learn more, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns.