“On any given day in European Unionapproximately 390,000 patients hospitalized receive at least one antimicrobial agent“. This has been announced by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in their third point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals.
Likewise, the ECDC warns that one in three microorganisms detected in healthcare-associated infections are already antibiotic resistant bacteria, “which limits options for treating infected patients.” This already represents a “particular concern” for the entity, since each year, 4.3 million of hospitalized patients in the EU contract at least one healthcare-associated infection during their stay in hospital.
In the words of the director of the European entity, Andrea Ammon“healthcare-associated infections pose a important challenge for patient safety in hospitals across Europe. “These recent figures highlight the urgent need for further action to mitigate this threat.”
One in three microorganisms detected in healthcare-associated infections are already antibiotic-resistant bacteria
In the case of Spain We see that the data are equally worrying. According to the entity’s data, it is estimated that, on average, about 250,486 patients contract infections associated with assistance in hospitals every year. This would leave us with an incidence of 5.7%.
On the other hand, regarding the percentage of patients who receive at least one antimicrobial agent in hospitals of intensive care in our country, we see that we have one of the highest data in the European Union. Specifically, we see that, on average, a 45.5% of patients receive these antibiotics. A figure that exceeds the EU average.
With these data, the ECDC has put on the table the urgent need” to improve the access at evidence of microbiological diagnosis and of increase he staff dedicated to the prevention and control of infections in hospitals. There is also continued emphasis on the hand hygiene and in the capacity of hospitals to guarantee a sufficient insulation for patients with certain infections.
On average, 45.5% of patients receive antibiotics in Spanish hospitals
Another way to reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials would be to make a commitment to prolonged medical and surgical prophylaxis, the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and the change from intravenous to oral administration. Added to this would be an increase in trained personnel.
Not in vain, it is explained, it is estimated that at least the 20% of infections contracted during medical care are preventable. Thus, and to prevent these infections, the importance of diagnostic tests is emphasized. “Inappropriate diagnostic practices often lead to inappropriate or unnecessary use of antimicrobials.” This “further aggravates” antimicrobial resistance.
Likewise, increase the awareness on the frequency and impact of healthcare-associated viruses among their own health professionalswould also be key to its prevention and control, as concluded by the European entity.
