Antibiotic Resistance

Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate-level (VISA) or high-level resistance (VRSA) to vancomycin are must be reported to the local department of health within 24 hours of diagnosis. VISA is S. aureus with a vancomycin MIC >= 4 ug/ml; VRSA is S. aureus with a vancomycin MIC >= 16 ug/ml. Susceptibility levels are defined by according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; Seventeenth Informational Supplement (M100-S17).


Educational Materials

Q & A on Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

  1. What are antibiotics?
    Antibiotics are drugs that are designed to kill harmful bacteria in your body. Antibiotics only cure bacterial infections; they do not cure viral infections like a cold, the flu, or a runny nose. It is important to remember that taking antibiotics may increase your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later.

  2. What is an antibiotic-resistant infection?
    Antibiotic-resistant infections happen when bacteria in your body stop responding to the antibiotics meant to kill them. This phenomenon is called antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria survive and multiply, causing more harm to the infected person. These bacteria can also share their resistant traits with other bacteria.

  3. What can I do to keep myself safe from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
    As a patient, it is important to remember that antibiotics do not cure viral infections like a cold or the flu. If you are concerned about antibiotic resistance, talk to your doctor to see if there are other options that may help you feel better without antibiotics. If you are prescribed antibiotics, follow your doctor’s instructions completely and continue taking your antibiotics a prescribed, even after you start to feel better. These are important steps to ensuring antibiotic stewardship.

  4. What is antibiotic stewardship?
    Antibiotic stewardship is taking action to ensure proper use of antibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship programs are meant to improve antibiotic use through core elements including accountability, action, and education. These programs can decrease antibiotic resistance and improve patient safety and treatment while reducing costs of overprescribing antibiotics. Healthcare facilities like doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, nursing homes, and hospitals are encouraged to implement antibiotic stewardship program.

  5. Where can I learn more about antibiotic resistance?
    You can look through the resources provided on this website to learn more about what you can do as a patient, parent, or healthcare provider. Se habla Español? CDC's Infórmese: automedicarse con antibióticos puede perjudicar su salud.

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Resources for Patients

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Resources for Parents

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Resources for Schools, Teachers, and Athletes

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Resources for Healthcare Providers

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Resources for Correctional Facilities

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Resources for Healthcare Facilities

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Disease Prevention

Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

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Continuing Medical Education (CME) Opportunities

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NHSN

CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is the primary healthcare-associated infection (HAI) tracking system in New Jersey and the nation. NHSN can be used to track MRSA, C. difficile, and other multidrug-resistant organisms within healthcare facilities.

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C. Difficile

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MRSA

Methilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) reporting into NHSN is currently required for all acute care hospitals in New Jersey. At a minimum, each facility must be monitoring MRSA LabID Event BSIs at the facility-wide level and conducting MRSA Admission AST to and the adherence rate in at least one high-risk patient care area (i.e., a patient care area where patients have an increased likelihood of acquiring MRSA and/or developing severe clinical outcomes resulting from a MRSA infection).

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Drug-resistant N. Gonorrhoeae

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VISA/VRSA

Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate-level (VISA) or high-level resistance (VRSA) to vancomycin are must be reported to the local department of health within 24 hours of diagnosis. VISA is S. aureus with a vancomycin MIC >= 4 ug/ml; VRSA is S. aureus with a vancomycin MIC >= 16 ug/ml. Susceptibility levels are defined by according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; Seventeenth Informational Supplement (M100-S17).

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VRE

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Last Reviewed: 2/21/2024