Health Alert: Rise in Drug-Resistant Infections in New York Healthcare Settings

(June 17, 2025) The New York State Department of Health has issued an important advisory following a concerning increase in the detection of two serious drug-resistant organisms in healthcare settings: Candida auris (C. auris) and carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs). These infections are known for being difficult to treat and for their ability to spread quickly in healthcare environments—particularly in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

What’s Happening?

Both C. auris and CPOs (including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are being identified more frequently, including outside of traditional high-risk settings like ventilator care units. Investigations by the Department have found that lapses in infection control practices—such as improper hand hygiene, inadequate environmental cleaning, and failure to use protective equipment—are contributing to their spread.

Why This Matters

These organisms pose a significant threat:

• They are often resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat.
• They can survive on surfaces and spread easily in healthcare settings.
• They have been linked to high mortality rates and can cause outbreaks if not quickly contained.

What Facilities Should Do

The Department is urging hospitals and skilled nursing facilities across the state to take immediate action, including:

• Report new cases of C. auris or CPOs to your regional epidemiologist.
• Follow CDC guidance for infection prevention:
  • CDC: Infection Control for C. auris – Includes disinfectant recommendations.
  • CDC: CRE Infection Control
• Reinforce Enhanced Barrier Precautions—especially in long-term care.
• Ensure your clinical labs can accurately detect these organisms and report findings immediately to infection prevention staff.
• Implement admission screening for patients at higher risk, such as:
  • Those in ventilator or intensive care units
  • Those recently treated at facilities outside the U.S.
  • Individuals in areas with known outbreaks (see CDC map)
• Communicate infection status clearly during patient transfers using tools like the CDC Interfacility Transfer Form.

Resources and Support

• For treatment guidance, refer to the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2024 guidelines on antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative infections.
• Facilities should continue to monitor updates from both the CDC and NYS Department of Health for evolving recommendations.

Prompt identification, strict infection control, and clear communication between facilities are essential to stop the spread of these dangerous organisms. Healthcare teams—including epidemiologists, lab staff, infection preventionists, medical directors, and environmental services—are encouraged to review and reinforce current protocols immediately.

Contact:  Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 x. 147