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Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Long Term Geriatric Care

Implications for Drug Therapy

  • Review Article
  • Epidemiology
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Summary

There is a high prevalence of bacterial infections in long term care facilities (4.4 to 16.2%). This, together with the fact that antimicrobial resistance is a big concern in current medical practice, makes infection control so important in nursing home care.

This article covers the mechanisms of antibacterial resistance and focuses on 4 major antibacterial-resistant bacteria. Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Colonisation with MRSA is not uncommon in nursing homes and eradication is probably not necessary. Any clinically important enterococcal infection should be tested for high-level resistance. An infectious disease consultation should be sought for vancomycinresistant enterococcal infections. Gram-negative bacilli have developed multiresistance. Susceptibility testing can identify the most appropriate therapy. Multiresistance should also be considered when treating Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Overall, handwashing is highly recommended. Barrier precautions, minimising hospitalisations and avoiding unnecessary personnel rotation can reduce the chance of resistance spread.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Cheng-An Mao

  2. School of Medicine, Geriatric Section, Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York University, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Eugenia L. Siegler

  3. Department of Medicine, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Elias Abrutyn

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  1. Cheng-An Mao
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  2. Eugenia L. Siegler
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  3. Elias Abrutyn
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Mao, CA., Siegler, E.L. & Abrutyn, E. Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Long Term Geriatric Care. Drugs & Aging 8, 162–170 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199608030-00002

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