Multidrug-ResistantAcinetobacter baumanniiInfection, Colonization, and Transmission Related to a Long-Term Care Facility Providing Subacute Care

Objective.To investigateAcinetobacter baumanniiinfection, colonization, and transmission related to a long-term care facility (LTCF) providing subacute care (facility A).Methods.We reviewed facility A and affiliated local hospital records for facility A residents withA. baumanniiisolated during the period January 2009 through February 2010 and comparedA. baumanniiantimicrobial resistance patterns of residents with those of hospital patients. During March 2010, we implemented a colonization survey of facility A residents who received respiratory support or who could provide sputum samples and looked forA. baumanniicolonization risks. Available clinical and survey isolates underwent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE); PFGE strains were linked with overlapping stays to identify possible transmission.Results.During the period January 2009 through February 2010, 33 facility A residents hadA. baumanniiisolates; all strains were multidrug resistant (MDR), which was a significantly higher prevalence of MDR strains than that found among isolates from hospital patients (81 [66%] of 122 hospital patient isolates were MDR;P< .001). The sputum survey found that 14 (20%) of 70 residents hadA. baumanniicolonization, which was associated with ventilator use (adjusted odds ratio, 4.24 [95% confidence interval, 1.06–16.93]); 12 (86%) of 14 isolates were MDR. Four facility A resident groups clustered with 3 PFGE strains and overlapping stays. One of these facility A residents also clustered with 3 patients at an affiliated hospital.Conclusions.We documented substantial MDRA. baumanniiinfections and colonization with probable intra- and interfacility spread associated with a single LTCF providing subacute care. Given the limited infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship resources in such settings, regional collaborations among facilities across the spectrum of health care are needed to address this MDR threat.