What is one consequence of increased microbial resistance?

Increased microbial resistance leads to longer hospital stays for patients primarily because infections become more challenging to treat. As bacteria and other microorganisms develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics, healthcare providers often face difficulties in finding effective treatments. This can result in prolonged illness and extended hospitalization as patients may require more complex or aggressive therapy to combat resistant infections.

Moreover, the occurrence of resistant infections can lead to complications that necessitate additional medical interventions or surgeries. As a result, patients may spend additional time in healthcare facilities, contributing to longer hospital stays. In many cases, the effectiveness of existing antibiotics diminishes, which exacerbates the duration of treatment required to manage these resistant infections.

The other options either do not align with the implications of increased microbial resistance—such as improved efficiency in treating infections or shorter recovery times—or they reflect a different aspect of the issue, such as the decline in the development of new antibiotics. However, the core consequence is indeed the increased burden and time associated with managing resistant infections, leading to longer patient stays in hospitals.