Health and Economic Outcomes of the Emergence of Third-Generation Cephalosporin Resistance in Enterobacter Species

Abstract

RESISTANCE TO antimicrobial drugs is a growing health and economic concern. Rates of resistance in hospital-acquired gram-positive and gram-negative infections have risen dramatically over the past decade.^1,2 Infections caused by resistant organisms are thought to result in higher morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs compared with infections caused by sensitive strains; however, few studies have examined quantitatively the health and economic impact of the development of resistant organisms.