Abstract
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.
Highlights
The epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a heterogeneous pattern worldwide [1]
The heterogeneous implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes in different countries contributes to this variation [3,4,5,6]
The representatives from each country were contacted through e-mail by a member of ESGAP, European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC) or Trainee Association of ESCMID (TAE), providing the weblink of the survey
Summary
The epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a heterogeneous pattern worldwide [1]. This is the result of a complex interaction of factors, some of them beyond the reach of healthcare professionals such as antimicrobial use in agriculture [2]. Little is known regarding the differences in organization and training of AMS and IPC activities between countries. The representatives from each country were contacted through e-mail by a member of ESGAP, EUCIC or TAE, providing the weblink of the survey. Once the survey was closed, data completeness and consistency were checked, comparing the replies of the different respondents from the same country. The investigators double checked the official documents provided by the national representatives
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