; (3) conduct clinical research to develop natural histories of resistant infectious diseases; (4) examine patient outcomes with currently available antibiotic therapy and validate and improve upon biomarkers and other surrogate end­points; and (5) study shorter treatment duration and early cessation of antibiotic therapy for treatment efficacy and the effect on development of resistance. (b) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024. 319E–5. Regional prevention collaborative efforts (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall work with State and local health departments to support the expansion of collaborative efforts by groups of health care facilities that focus on preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose a serious threat to public health, and that are designed to interrupt and prevent the transmission of significant antibiotic-resistant pathogens being transmitted across health care settings in a geographic region. Such collaborative efforts shall— (1) identify significant drug resistant pathogens being transmitted across health care settings locally; (2) implement evidence-based interventions to interrupt the transmission of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and prevent the infections caused by such bacteria, including evidence-based transmission prevention guidelines, rigorous hand-hygiene protocols, and infection control and prevention measures; (3) assess compliance and identify barriers to adherence to such measures; (4) evaluate the impact of such measures, to the extent possible, on hospital readmissions in health care facilities across the continuum of care, rates of health care associated infections, or any other relevant measures that characterize the health or economic impact of the collaborative efforts