Urgent, Comprehensive Federal Action Needed To Stem Mortality and Medicare Costs Associated With Antimicrobial Resistance

In their paper “Mortality and Healthcare Costs Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections Among Elderly Hospitalized Patients in the United States,” the authors raise important points that should inform federal policy. Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections cause significant mortality and result in high healthcare costs, particularly for the Medicare population. The majority of the costs and mortality identified in the analysis were caused by 2 groups of pathogens—methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria. Control efforts that target these specific pathogens stand to provide great potential impact. In addition, the spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), which cause infections that are extremely difficult to treat, is cause for great concern and should be a focus of national efforts. We outline the policy recommendations necessary to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and call upon our colleagues in healthcare, public health, and research to join us in advocating for solutions needed to secure the safe and effective arsenal of antibiotics on which modern medicine relies.