Health

By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System

A multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) is a living organism, bacteria, or fungi that has evolved and mutated to protect itself from medications that were once used to treat the infection they cause. MDROs can affect any person but are especially concerning for individuals in hospitals, long-term care facilities, group living facilities, those who are immunosuppressed or those who have chronic conditions. 

Healthcare providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerned about the spread of drug-resistant organisms. They estimate more than 2.8 million resistant infections occur in the U.S. According to a collaborative study with the CDC, the estimated cost to treat infections caused by only six MDROs is more than $4.6 billion annually.​ 

By Susan Grace, MD
Pediatric Hospitalist, Pediatric Hospitalists of Northwest Ohio

There has been a recent increase in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in our region. SIDS is the leading cause of death for children under the age of one. These losses are heartbreaking for the families and for communities. While not every infant death has a preventable cause, the majority of them are associated with risk factors, including unsafe sleep. As parents, there are things that can be done to decrease the risk of SIDS.  

An infant should always sleep alone, on their back, in a crib. It can be so tempting to snuggle our infants in bed while we sleep or to fall asleep on the couch with the infant on our chest. This is a recipe for disaster. As a pediatrician for over ten years, I have seen these scenarios turn into infant deaths many times. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing but never bed-sharing. The crib should be free of any pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, or loose bedding. These items may make the crib appear more appealing, but they are unnecessary for the baby and can be a means of suffocation.