This six-part series explores issues and challenges facing hospitals in their quest to control hospital-acquired infections. It is sponsored in part by a grant from Ortho-McNeil, a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Part 1: The Bacterial-Resistance Crisis
Bacteria that can survive a previously effective antibiotic are a major public health threat. Overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the problem, and few new drugs are in development.

Part 2: The Cost of Resistance
Hospital-acquired infections too often are viewed as a by-product of care, the result of treating older, sicker patients, and increasing use of more invasive treatments.

Part 3: Health Care-Associated Infections
Health care-associated infections, which patients acquire while being treated for other conditions, require specific antibiotic therapy. Failure to identify the source of the infection increases the risk of mortality.

Part 4:The Clinician Perspective
Bacterial resistance has a wide-ranging impact on clinical practice. There are implications regarding the types of treatment available for infectious diseases, the effectiveness of these treatments and the cost of care.