Organization and training at national level of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control activities in Europe: an ESCMID cross-sectional survey

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and Infection prevention and control (IPC) are two key complementary strategies that combat development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The ESGAP (ESCMID Study Group for AMS), EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control) and TAE (Trainee Association of ESCMID) investigated how AMS and IPC activities and training are organized, if present, at national level in Europe. From February 2018 to May 2018, an internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted through a 36-item questionnaire, involving up to three selected respondents per country, from 38 European countries in total (including Israel), belonging to the ESGAP/EUCIC/TAE networks. All 38 countries participated with at least one respondent, and a total of 81 respondents. Education and involvement in AMS programmes were mandatory during the postgraduate training of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases specialists in up to one-third of countries. IPC was acknowledged as a specialty in 32% of countries. Only 32% of countries had both guidance and national requirements regarding AMS programmes, in contrast to 61% for IPC. Formal national staffing standards for AMS and IPC hospital-based activities were present in 24% and 63% of countries, respectively. The backgrounds of professionals responsible for AMS and IPC programmes varied tremendously between countries. The organization and training of AMS and IPC in Europe are heterogeneous and national requirements for activities are frequently lacking

National influences on catheter-associated bloodstream infection rates: practices among national surveillance networks participating in the European HELICS project.

&lt;p&gt;This study was performed to evaluate associations between organisational characteristics, routine practices and the incidence densities of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSI rates) in European intensive care units (ICUs) as part of the HELICS project (Hospitals in Europe Link for Infection Control through Surveillance). Questionnaires were sent to ICUs participating in the national nosocomial infection surveillance networks in 2004. The national networks were asked for the CVC-BSI rates of the ICUs participating for the time period 2003--2004. Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses were performed to identify which practices had the greatest impact on CVC-BSI rates. A total of 526 ICUs from 10 countries sent data on organisational characteristics and practices, demonstrating wide variation in care. CVC-BSI rates were also provided for 288 ICUs from five countries. This made it possible to include 1383444 patient days, 969897 CVC days and 1935 CVC-BSI cases in the analysis. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that the categorical variables of country [odds ratio (OR) varying per country from OR: 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5-10.2; to OR: 12.8; 95% CI: 4.4-37.5; in reference to the country with the lowest CVC-BSI rates] and type of hospital &amp;#39;university&amp;#39; (OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.02-4.25) were independent risk factors for high CVC-BSI rates. Substantial variation existed in CVC-BSI prevention activities, surveillance methods and estimated CVC-BSI rates among the European countries. Differences in cultural, social and legal perspectives as well as differences between healthcare systems are crucial in explaining these differences.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Europe: which infection control measures are taken?

International audienc

Ein europäischer Ansatz zur Infektionsprävention und -kontrolle

The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 has underlined the importance of a joint effort and approach to ensure patient and health care worker safety in medical care throughout Europe. In addition, the recent flood disasters in Germany and other countries called for immediate joint action, in this case with regard to the prevention of water-borne infections. Environmental disasters will increase with consequences for hospitals and nursing homes. Cooperative efforts are needed for preventing and controlling associated infection outbreaks, new pathogens will appear and a geographic shift of infectious diseases previously not detected in certain areas has already been observed.This approach to infection prevention and control must entail structural as well as regulatory aspects. The principle of equal protection against infections in all European countries must be implemented. Prevention and control of infections, including nosocomial infections, infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as pandemics, need to be based on equal standards in all of Europe.Protection against infections and other public health risks in all European countries is the best guarantor for building trust and identification of citizens in our common Europe. Experts in the fields of hygiene, microbiology, infectiology and epidemiology have to pool the expertise on the prevention and control of infections from different European countries and define key targets for achieving a high standard of hygiene measures throughout Europe. The participants of the Rudolf Schülke Foundation International Symposium call for immediate action and priority to be given to the realization of the proposed 16-point plan.Die aktuelle COVID-19-Pandemie hat deutlich gemacht, wie wichtig gemeinsame Anstrengungen und ein gemeinsames Vorgehen sind, um die Sicherheit von Patienten und Mitarbeitenden in der medizinischen Versorgung in ganz Europa zu gewährleisten. Auch die jüngsten Hochwasserkatastrophen in Deutschland und anderen Ländern haben gezeigt, dass sofortige überregionale Maßnahmen, in diesem Fall zur Prävention von durch Wasser übertragenen Infektionen, dringend erforderlich sind. Umweltkatastrophen werden zunehmen, und sie haben auch für Krankenhäuser und Pflegeheime Folgen.Ausbrüche müssen verhindert und unter Kontrolle gebracht werden. Zugleich ist mit dem Auftreten neuer Krankheitserreger sowie mit einer bereits jetzt zu beobachtenden geographischen Verschiebung von Infektionskrankheiten zu rechnen.Der Ansatz zur Prävention und Bekämpfung von Infektionskrankheiten muss sowohl strukturelle als auch politische Aspekte beinhalten. Es gilt, den Grundsatz des gleichen Schutzes vor Infektionen in allen europäischen Ländern umzusetzen. Prävention und Bekämpfung von Infektionen, einschließlich nosokomialer Infektionen, Infektionen durch antibiotikaresistente Bakterien sowie Pandemien, müssen in ganz Europa auf den gleichen Standards beruhen.Der Schutz vor Infektionen und anderen Risiken für die öffentliche Gesundheit in allen Ländern Europas ist der beste Garant für die Schaffung von Vertrauen und Identifikation der Bürger in unserem gemeinsamen Europa. Expertinnen und Experten auf den Gebieten der Hygiene, Mikrobiologie, Infektiologie und Epidemiologie müssen ihre Expertise zur Prävention und Bekämpfung von Infektionen aus verschiedenen europäischen Ländern bündeln und die wichtigsten Ziele zur Erreichung eines hohen Standards von Hygienemaßnahmen in Europa definieren. Die Teilnehmer des Internationalen Symposions der Rudolf Schülke Foundation fordern, umgehend zu handeln und der Umsetzung des vorgeschlagenen 16-Punkte-Plans Priorität einzuräumen