Antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacteria from nursing home residents in Oklahoma.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities for 2,832 isolates from nursing home patients in Oklahoma (1992) were compiled retrospectively. An appreciable proportion of antimicrobial resistance was detected for ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin among gram-negative bacilli. Of 301 Staphylococcus aureus isolates tested, 70% were resistant to methicillin and 72% resistant to ciprofloxacin. Vancomycin resistance occurred in 22% of Enterococcus faecium isolates. These findings herald a high incidence of antimicrobial resistance in nursing home residents.