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This study examines the susceptibilities of meropenem and other broad-spectrum antimicrobials tested against bacterial isolates collected from hospitalized patients during 2002-2004 from worldwide medical centers participating in the Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) Program. The in vitro activity of meropenem and 5 comparator antimicrobial agents was assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. Generally, the susceptibility of Australasian and North American isolates was higher than that of the European and South American isolates. The rank order of activity of the antimicrobial agents tested against a worldwide collection of P. aeruginosa was piperacillin/tazobactam (77.7% susceptible) > meropenem (75.4%) > ceftazidime (70.0%) > imipenem (69.7%) > gentamicin (66.1%) > ciprofloxacin (62.0%). Against a worldwide collection of Acinetobacter spp. meropenem (76.1% susceptible) was the most active compound followed by imipenem (74.7%) > gentamicin (51.9%) > ciprofloxacin (40.5%) > piperacillin/tazobactam (39.8%) > ceftazidime (38.1%). The carbapenems appear to be a valuable option for the treatment of serious nosocomial infections caused by P. aeruginosa or Acinetobacter spp. over a broad geographical region.

"This article describes an enrollment forecasting process in which technical experts and local community stakeholders [in Oregon] worked together to produce data that were cost-efficient and yet accurate enough to serve as the basis for sound decisions. The large school district that employed this process gained valuable insights to guide its attendance zone and facilities planning decisions, and also created a group of key communicators to ensure community understanding and support.", (excerpt)