WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement is attributable to Kathy Warye, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC):

"APIC is concerned with the increased rate of antibiotic resistant infections -- as high as 70 percent according to recent reports. New strains of MRSA, such as the pUSA03-positive strain, provide evidence that the very nature of these organisms is changing -- producing infections that are increasingly resistant to our strongest antibiotics.

Because of the increasing number of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), APIC promotes a culture of 'zero tolerance' toward non-compliance with measures proven to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Furthermore, the association calls upon healthcare institutions to increase efforts to prevent these infections.

Research demonstrates that many HAIs can be prevented through adopting a range of elimination strategies including proper hand hygiene, barrier precautions such as use of gloves and gowns, and equipment cleaning and decontamination.

APIC also urges consumers and health professionals to exercise the prudent use of antibiotics. With a dwindling arsenal of effective drugs and few new compounds on the horizon, healthcare facilities and consumers must stop the misuse and overuse of antibiotics to curb the growth of virulent multi-drug resistant organisms nationwide.

Reducing the rate of HAIs will require adequately resourced infection prevention departments within healthcare facilities. To ensure the safety of patients, APIC stands ready to partner with healthcare professionals, policy makers and consumer groups to provide support and education in this important endeavor."

APIC's mission is to improve health and patient safety by reducing risks of infection and other adverse outcomes. The Association's more than 11,000 members have primary responsibility for infection prevention, control and hospital epidemiology in healthcare settings around the globe. APIC advances its mission through education, research, collaboration, practice guidance, public policy, and credentialing. Visit APIC online at www.apic.org

SOURCE Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

CONTACT: Liz Garman of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), +1-202-454-2604, egarman@apic.org