Multidrug-resistant organisms

Find information on MDROs, resources for healthcare facilities, and data dashboards. 

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are germs that are resistant to antibiotics and antifungals, making them very difficult to treat. One group of MDRO germs that we track are called carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs). CPOs live in the intestine but can spread further and cause serious infections, like urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. They have an enzyme that makes the germs resistant to carbapenem antibiotics which are a last resort treatment when common antibiotics no longer work.

In healthcare settings throughout the U.S., MDROs are a significant public health threat and add to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. To find more information on MDRO disease trends in King County, check out the latest Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology Annual Report. 

External Resources

• Washington State MDRO data
  Find dashboards on MDRO data trends.
• Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms
  Learn about CROs.
• Candida Auris
  Learn about C. Auris, an MDRO that can spread easily in healthcare facilities.