New CDC data on dialysis & resistant infections

Report: Patients on dialysis more likely to have staph infections

CDC Vital Signs Report: Patients on Dialysis at Higher Risk for Bloodstream Infections S. aureus can cause difficult-to-treat, resistant infections

According to a recent CDC Vital Signs report, more than 14,000 bloodstream infections occurred in patients on dialysis in the United States in 2020, and more than one in three were caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, or staph). Of those infections, 40% were caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). MRSA is resistant to several antibiotics, making it difficult to treat, and is a serious threat in the United States, according to CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report.  The Vital Signs report highlights that staph bloodstream infections happen more often in Black and Hispanic patients on dialysis than White patients on dialysis. Areas in the United States with higher poverty, household crowding, and lower education also accounted for more dialysis staph bloodstream infections.

Bloodstream infections are preventable in all patients on dialysis, and actions to reduce inequities can save lives. Preventing these infections requires a broad and equitable approach. Healthcare providers and patients can:	Adults on dialysis treatment for end-stage kidney disease were 100 times more likely to have a staph bloodstream infection than adults not on dialysis during 2017-2020

Manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure to prevent chronic kidney disease. Stay informed about end-stage kidney disease treatments. Reduce use of central venous catheters for dialysis treatment. Fistulas have the lowest risk of infection and central venous catheters have the highest risk of infection. Reduce barriers for patients to receive medical care such as transportation assistance and resources in appropriate languages. Know sepsis signs and symptoms to identify and treat patients early.

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