Infectious diseases experts lower mortality rates for patients with drug-resistant infections by up to 50 percent

A study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases highlighted a 50 percent lower mortality rate in patients with drug-resistant infections who see infectious diseases (ID) specialists compared with those who do not.

The study was single-center and retrospective, focusing on records from 2006 to 2015. Around 4,200 patients were profiled. A host of different drug-resistant pathogens were on display, but the one that saw the highest impact from ID consultation were Enterobacteriaceae infections. When specialists were put on the case, 30-day mortality rates plunged by 59 percent. Those with S. aureus infections saw drops of 52 percent. Even those with several infections simultaneously–each resistant to multiple antibiotics–such consultations resulted in 49 percent drops in mortality.

“These are serious infections that anybody can get and end up in the hospital,” Dr. Jason Burnham, study author, said. “Understanding how we can help improve outcomes in patients like these is really important.”

The research went still further, finding that even a year after the fact, the involvement of an ID physician reduced mortality by 27 percent in cases of S. aureus and 26 percent for Enterobacteriaceae. Burnham intends to continue research, which he says will clarify what aspects of care provided by these specialists most specifically aid patients.

“I think we’re moving in a direction where having ID experts on board for these increasingly hard to treat drug-resistant infections will be necessary to ensure that our patients have the best possible outcomes,” Burnham said.

Antibiotic resistance is only increasing with time, meaning that specialized care could become even more integral to positive outcomes. Larger studies are needed to better understand the role of ID consultants for such infections, though, according to Burnham.