The CDC’s latest report documents infections from a drug-resistant bacteria — NDM-producing carbapeem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE) — sometimes called “nightmare bacteria,” have surged by more than 460 percent in recent years. These multidrug-resistant infections are notoriously difficult to treat, most often appearing in healthcare settings.
Why NDM-CRE Infections Are So Dangerous
NDM-CRE infections spread easily in care settings through ventilators and IV lines, for example, and can be difficult to identify because many laboratories do not have the testing capacity. They carry genes, such as New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), that make them resistant to most available antibiotics. With IV-only treatment options and high mortality risk, NDM-CRE is one of the most pressing threats in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Role of Infectious Disease Expertise and Antibiotic Stewardship
Knowing when and how to test for NDM-CRE infections and selecting the appropriate antibiotic for treatment are essential, and having an infectious disease specialist available avoids potentially deadly delays and spread into the larger community.
While not every hospital has an on-staff infectious disease specialist, a telemedicine model puts their expertise within reach, no matter how small or remote the hospital. Access TeleCare’s infectious disease program makes infectious disease expertise available on hospitals’ terms, allowing for consults and treatment planning and oversight when they are needed.
In addition, with teleantibiotic stewardship hospitals get the tools and expertise to:
- Detect resistance patterns quickly
- Ensure the right antibiotic, at the right dose, for the right duration
- Prevent unnecessary or duplicative prescribing
- Limit the spread of resistant organisms across care teams and facilities
- Standardize stewardship protocols across hospitals and health systems
- Provide ongoing education to staff
Hospitals that adopt robust stewardship programs see lower resistance rates, improved patient outcomes, and reduced costs from prolonged hospitalizations.
“Antibiotic resistance is not a future threat — it’s a present reality. Stewardship is the safeguard that ensures every prescription is effective, necessary, and protective of our communities. TeleInfectious Disease brings that safeguard to hospitals of every size, exactly when and where it’s needed.” — Dr. Jade Le, chief of infectious disease, Access TeleCare
The CDC’s warning about NDM-CRE highlights a truth we see every day: antibiotic resistance isn’t just a distant threat, it’s here now. Stewardship is the best defense we have, and teleInfectious Disease makes it possible for hospitals of all sizes to access the expertise required to fight back.
