Need of the Hour: Addressing the Challenges of Multi-Drug-Resistant Health Care-Associated Infections and the Role of the Laboratory in Lowering Infection Rates

Over the past two decades, we have been confronted with an increase in the frequency and diversity of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms, leading in some cases to serious and life-threatening infections. To compound the problem, during the same timeframe, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of new, FDA-approved antimicrobial agents to treat these infections. In order to understand the gravity of the problem, we need to address the reasons behind the dramatic increase in antimicrobial resistance and the consequences facing us, as well as potential solutions to the problem.