Standards for the identification, management and treatment of CSARO
Clinically Significant Organisms that are Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms (also termed MRDO) are defined as organisms that have become resistant to one or more antimicrobials from three or more antimicrobial categories or classes and also other micro/macro-organisms that have developed multi-drug and chemical resistance e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. CSARO’s have the ability to cause harm, increase morbidity and mortality and the more resistant the organism the fewer options that are available for treatment. Hence surveillance of and their prevention and control in any healthcare setting is key to reducing harm and preventing avoidable healthcare associated infections (HCAI), increased incidents and outbreaks.
Every Health Board/Trust will need to ensure they have robust processes and systems in place to identify, manage and treat these pathogens.
These standards aim to support organisations benchmark their own systems for managing CSARO and assist in developing a gap analysis for action.