Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Antibiotics are powerful medications used to treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. They have dramatically improved human health and life expectancy. Many serious infections that once caused death can now be treated effectively with antibiotics.

However, in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, some strains of bacteria have become resistant to these medications. This is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or antibiotic resistance.

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are bacteria that are not controlled or killed by antibiotics. They can survive and even multiply in the presence of medications that used to work against them. When bacteria become resistant to several different antibiotics, they are called multi-resistant organisms (MROs).

Some bacteria are also naturally resistant to certain antibiotics. For example, benzylpenicillin has very little effect on most of the bacteria that normally live in the human digestive system (the gut).

Why Antimicrobial Resistance Matters in Grand Rapids

A Growing Public Health Problem

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health issue in West Michigan, including Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent County communities. Local hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health are all actively monitoring and managing antibiotic-resistant infections.

The development of antibiotic resistance can be slowed by:

  • Minimizing unnecessary prescribing and overprescribing of antibiotics
  • Using prescribed antibiotics correctly (right dose, right time, full course)
  • Practicing good hygiene and infection control at home, in schools, and in healthcare settings

Around the world and here in Michigan, more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics that were once commonly used to treat them. This means:

  • Infections can become more serious and harder to treat
  • Hospital stays may be longer and more complicated
  • Treatment can become more expensive
  • There is a higher risk of infection spreading in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and the community

Cold Michigan winters, crowded indoor spaces, and seasonal respiratory illnesses can increase the chance of infections spreading, making antibiotic resistance an even more important issue for Grand Rapids residents.

Examples of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Some important examples of bacteria that can develop antimicrobial resistance include:

  • Staphylococcus aureus (often called “golden staph”), including
    • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Enterococcus species, including
    • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including
    • Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the bacteria that causes gonorrhea), which is becoming resistant to multiple antibiotics
  • Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) – a group of gut bacteria that produce enzymes (carbapenemases) that break down powerful antibiotics called carbapenems

These resistant bacteria are monitored by hospitals and public health agencies, including the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs, to help protect the community.

How Antimicrobial Resistance Develops

Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics when:

  • Antibiotics are used when they are not needed (for example, for viral infections like colds and flu)
  • Antibiotics are not taken exactly as prescribed (wrong dose, missed doses, stopped too early)
  • Antibiotics are overused in healthcare, agriculture, and sometimes in household products

Over time, the bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment can multiply and spread, creating strains that are harder to treat.

Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance in Grand Rapids

1. Use Antibiotics Appropriately

To help reduce antibiotic resistance in Grand Rapids:

  • Do not expect antibiotics for every illness.
    • Colds, most sore throats, flu, RSV, and many sinus and ear infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
    • Take the correct dose at the right times.
    • Complete the entire course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
  • Do not share antibiotics with others or use leftover antibiotics from previous illnesses.
  • Avoid over-the-counter products that advertise “antibiotic,” “antibacterial,” or “antimicrobial” unless recommended by your healthcare provider.

If you are unsure whether you need antibiotics, talk to your Grand Rapids primary care provider, urgent care clinic, or local pharmacist.

2. Practice Good Hygiene at Home and in the Community

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria can spread from person to person in the community, including schools, workplaces, gyms, and long-term care facilities.

To help prevent transmission:

  • Wash your hands regularly, especially:

    • After going to the toilet
    • After changing diapers
    • Before preparing or eating food
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After using public transport or visiting crowded places (especially during Michigan’s winter cold and flu season)

  • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze:

    • Use a tissue to blow or wipe your nose
    • Dispose of tissues immediately into the trash
    • Wash your hands after disposing of tissues

  • Do not spit in public places.

  • Stay home if you are unwell, especially if you have:

    • Fever
    • Cough, sore throat, or runny nose
    • Vomiting or diarrhea

  • Do not send children to child care, preschool, or school in Grand Rapids if they are sick. This helps protect classmates, teachers, and caregivers.

3. Food Safety and Everyday Precautions

To reduce the spread of bacteria, including resistant strains:

  • Wash hands before and after food handling
  • Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods
  • Cook meat thoroughly
  • Clean kitchen surfaces and utensils regularly
  • Be careful with shared items like towels, razors, and sports equipment

These steps are especially important in larger households and shared housing common around local colleges and universities in the Grand Rapids area.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Grand Rapids Hospitals

How Resistant Bacteria Spread in Healthcare Settings

In hospitals and clinics, antimicrobial resistant bacteria can spread through:

  • Contact with contaminated hands of healthcare staff, patients, or visitors
  • Contact with contaminated surfaces and equipment, such as:
    • Door handles
    • Over-bed tables
    • Call bells
    • Stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs

This is why infection prevention and control is a major focus at Corewell Health hospitals, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and clinics throughout West Michigan.

Standard Infection Prevention and Control Practices

All healthcare facilities in Grand Rapids follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of infection, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These include:

  • Performing hand hygiene before and after all patient contact
  • Using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as:
    • Gloves
    • Masks
    • Eye protection or face shields when contact with blood or body fluids is possible
  • Safe handling and disposal of sharps (e.g., needles)
  • Proper waste management
  • Aseptic techniques for procedures such as:
    • Changing wound dressings
    • Inserting IV lines or catheters
    • Performing invasive procedures
  • Routine cleaning of the hospital environment
  • Appropriate cleaning and sterilization of reusable medical equipment and instruments
  • Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette for staff, patients, and visitors

These practices are used for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, to reduce the overall risk of infection.

Additional Precautions for Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria

When a patient in a Grand Rapids hospital or long-term care facility is known or suspected to have an infection or colonization with a highly infectious or antibiotic-resistant organism (such as MRSA, VRE, or CPE), additional precautions may be used. These may include:

  • Single room with ensuite or dedicated toilet
  • Dedicated care equipment for that patient (e.g., blood pressure cuff, thermometer)
  • Restricted movement of the patient within the facility to reduce spread
  • Healthcare workers wearing specific PPE (gowns, gloves, masks) for all interactions with that patient

Micro-organisms may be classed as “high risk” if:

  • They spread easily from person to person
  • They are resistant to multiple antibiotics
  • They can cause severe disease in vulnerable patients

These extra steps help protect other patients, staff, and visitors in Grand Rapids healthcare facilities.

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Community

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are not only a hospital problem. They can also spread:

  • Within households
  • In child care centers, schools, and universities
  • In gyms, sports teams, and community centers
  • In long-term care and assisted living facilities

To help prevent transmission in the community:

  • Wash hands before and after food preparation and eating
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, phones)
  • Shower after contact sports and avoid sharing personal items
  • Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered

These steps are especially important during the colder months in Grand Rapids, when people spend more time indoors and respiratory and skin infections are more common.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are concerned about infection or antibiotic use, or if you think you may have an antibiotic-resistant infection:

  • Your GP or primary care doctor – Many clinics across Grand Rapids, including Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, and independent practices
  • Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics in the Grand Rapids area
  • Pharmacists – Can answer questions about antibiotics, side effects, and how to take them properly
  • Community health centers – Provide care for uninsured or underinsured residents
  • Kent County Health Department – Offers information on infectious diseases, vaccination, and public health programs
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources – Local information on disease prevention, hand hygiene, and community health initiatives

Seek urgent medical care or call 911 if you have:

  • High fever and chills
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe pain
  • Confusion or sudden worsening of symptoms

Key Points About Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Grand Rapids

  • Antibiotics are used to treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria, but some bacteria have become resistant to these medications.
  • Antimicrobial resistance is a serious and growing public health problem in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and worldwide.
  • Important antibiotic-resistant bacteria include MRSA, VRE, MDR-TB, drug-resistant gonorrhea, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE).
  • The most important ways to prevent antimicrobial resistance are to:
    • Use antibiotics appropriately and only when needed
    • Reduce unnecessary and over-prescribing of antibiotics
    • Complete the full course of any prescribed antibiotic
    • Practice good hygiene, especially regular handwashing
    • Follow infection prevention and control measures in hospitals, clinics, schools, and at home

By working together—patients, families, healthcare professionals, and public health agencies—Grand Rapids can slow the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and protect the health of our community.