The Department of Health is transforming how we present data. We want to provide the public with information that is easy to interact with and easy to visualize. We created new visualization dashboards summarizing Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) reports, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). These visualizations allow users to:
- Interact with charts, maps, and graphs
- Export the data as a spreadsheet.
The data for these dashboards comes from samples submitted and tested through the Washington State Public Health Laboratory, as well as reports from other states made to the Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program. These dashboards display data reported since 2012 and is updated quarterly.
Access the MDRO dashboardsThe issues of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antibiotic resistance overlap significantly but are not the same. HAIs are often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but not always. Examples of HAIs caused by resistant bacteria include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause infections in the community (such as resistant pneumococcal infections or community-associated MRSA) and in animals. Resistant bacteria and their genes may also be found in the environment.
The Washington State Department of Health works to reduce and prevent antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. We support the National Action Plan to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.
Our strategies include:
Detect - Perform surveillance for high profile resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and increase laboratory capacity to identify these organisms.
Protect - Improve reporting and communication regarding resistant bacteria, and infection control to protect patients.
Prevent - Promote antimicrobial stewardship and immunizations.
Innovate - Develop new diagnostic tests.
Collaborate - Collaborate with other groups at the local, state, and national level, using a One Health perspective on the interrelation between bacterial resistance in humans, animals and the environment.