Abstract
There is an emerging concern about potential threats from antimicrobial drug abuse during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The rapid rise in the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection, one of the infectious diseases by antimicrobial drug-resistant microorganisms, has been observed since 2017 when full CRE case-reporting system was initiated in the Republic of Korea. Specially, Busan shows the highest CRE case numbers among non-metropolitan cities, which prompted the Gyeongnam Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a joint investigation with local government and institutions. The CRE isolates reported by 23 hospitals and 20 long-term care hospitals in Busan between June and December of 2022 were analyzed based on the reported case information. The environmental samples were also investigated to determine the facility infection control status. We found that the major CRE patient quarantine strategies (single-room vs. cohort) were different in the hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The study also evaluated the specific areas in facilities where the carbapenemase-producing microorganisms were found the most. These data are expected to be the basis of the infection control and prevention strategy development for the healthcare facilities in Busan. Furthermore this joint investigation is an example for a productive cooperation between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency regional center and local government.