Preventing CRE in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals

CRE, which stands for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they have high levels of resistance to antibiotics. CRE is a major public concern because it causes infections that are very difficult to treat, and can be deadly. One report cites they can contribute to death in up to 50 percent of patients who become infected.

Patients in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) are particularly vulnerable to CRE infection and colonization (germs are present but no clinical symptoms) and can contribute to the spread of CRE when they move back and forth between acute and long-term care facilities. This study tested the effectiveness of a CRE prevention package to stop the spread of CRE in a group of long-term acute care facilities.

Prevention Epicenter Collaborators

• Cook County Health and Hospital Systems and Rush University

Results of the Study

The study showed that this prevention package led to a 56 percent reduction in CRE bloodstream infections. CDC created a national CRE prevention toolkit [PDF – 24 pages] to help more hospitals adopt this proven approach.

Visit CDC’s website to learn more about CRE [PDF – 24 pages] or prevention tools for long-term care facilities.