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April, 13 2023

Combatting Drug Resistant Pathogens

What are Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) or Antimicrobial Resistant?

Drug-resistant pathogens are a growing concern in the healthcare industry and pose a significant threat to patient health and safety. Drug or antimicrobial pathogens are defined as bacteria or fungi that have evolved the ability to resist drugs specifically formulated to eliminate them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that combating antimicrobial resistance is a global threat. In the United States, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. More than 35,000 people die as a result, according to CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats Report.  Pathogens such as Shigella, Candida auris, and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial treatments. As a result, there has been a considerable increase in the number of infections and deaths associated with these pathogens.

How do these affect people?

Shigella is a bacteria that causes gastroenteritis, a severe diarrheal illness. In 2015, cases of Shigella in the United States showed significant resistance to antibiotics, making them challenging to treat. Shigella infects about 450,000 people in the United States per year and causes almost one million deaths per year worldwide. Being infected with Shigella is as easy as touching a contaminated source in a bathroom or coming in contact with someone that has been infected. The CDC states, “In the event of an outbreak, surfaces may need to be cleaned and disinfected more often to reduce the chance of spreading Shigella infection.”

Candida auris, a fungus that causes bloodstream infections, is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs and has caused outbreaks in healthcare facilities worldwide. The CDC recently put out a press release listing C. auris as an urgent Antimicrobial-resistant threat. You can find more information regarding C. auris in our previous blog. Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA, is another antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose a threat to public health. MRSA causes skin and soft tissue infections that are difficult to treat.

What can be done if they are difficult to treat?

Since these illnesses are hard to treat once contracted, it is important to take proactive steps to combat these organisms. SteraMist disinfection is the most effective method available. By using ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP), SteraMist penetrates the most hard-to-reach areas of a healthcare facility, killing drug-resistant microorganisms on contact. To eliminate these bacteria and spores, a six-log (99.9999%) reduction is a necessity. SteraMist achieves that six-log reduction and ensures they are completely removed from the space. Traditional cleaning methods often require extensive manual labor and can take hours or even days to complete. SteraMist disinfects an entire room 4x faster without leaving behind any harmful residues or byproducts. This makes SteraMist the ideal solution for hospitals, schools, and other high-traffic areas that require frequent disinfection.

Game-Changing Hospital-Healthcare Disinfection Technology

Overall, SteraMist disinfection is a game-changer in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. Its innovative technology, speed, and safety make it a superior choice for any facility looking to maintain a clean and healthy environment. With the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is becoming increasingly difficult to treat infections using traditional methods. SteraMist offers a solution that is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including those that are resistant to antibiotics. This technology is particularly important in hospital environments, where the risk of infection is high and traditional cleaning methods are not enough. SteraMist ensures these environments are safe for patients and healthcare workers alike.

Additionally, SteraMist is a cost-effective and efficient solution that can be used in a variety of settings, from hospitals to schools to public transportation. By investing in SteraMist, healthcare facilities can ensure that they are doing everything possible to protect their patients and staff from these dangerous microorganisms. SteraMist disinfection is a valuable tool in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria and should be implemented as a standard practice in all environments where infection control is a priority. Discover how SteraMist is the solution to control infection rates in healthcare facilities across the world here.