Understanding the Spread and Control of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

March 5, 2024
On March 5, 2024

Patients infected with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) often have a history of prolonged antimicrobial use, but cross-contamination within healthcare facilities also plays a significant role in their transmission. The key to prevention and control lies in mitigating cross-infection, interrupting transmission pathways, and controlling their emergence and spread within hospitals.

multidrug resistance

Sources and Transmission Pathways of MDROs

MDROs in hospitals originate from both biological and non-biological sources of transmission. Patients and carriers infected with MDROs serve as the primary biological sources, while contaminated medical devices and environmental surfaces constitute non-biological sources.

Variety of Transmission Routes

MDROs can spread through various routes, including droplet transmission from coughing, airborne transmission when air conditioning vents are contaminated with MDROs, and aerosol-generating procedures that increase the risk of MDRO transmission. Strict implementation of ward isolation can effectively block these transmission routes.

Contact Transmission: A Primary Route

Among the transmission routes, contact transmission is the most significant within hospitals. MDRO contamination is prevalent on the hands of healthcare workers and hospital environmental surfaces. Strengthening cleaning and disinfection of these two factors is one of the effective measures to prevent MDRO infections.

Role of Proper Disinfection Machines

Moreover, selecting suitable disinfection machines can serve as valuable adjuncts in combating drug-resistant organisms. Why emphasize the choice of disinfection machines over disinfectants? Because at this stage, drug-resistant organisms have undergone multiple transmissions and mutations, rendering conventional disinfectants limited in their efficacy and scope. Therefore, opting for disinfection machines with enhanced functionality, especially those with multiple disinfection modes, is essential for effectively eliminating drug-resistant organisms and achieving prevention and containment goals.