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

• Published in: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases 2019-11, Vol.38 (11), p.2061-2068
• Main Authors: Maraolo, Alberto Enrico, Ong, David S. Y., Cimen, Cansu, Howard, Philip, Kofteridis, Diamantis P., Schouten, Jeroen, Mutters, Nico T., Pulcini, Céline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; Antimicrobial resistance; Antimicrobial stewardship; Antimicrobial Stewardship - organization & administration; Antimicrobial Stewardship - statistics & numerical data; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Clinical microbiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease control; Education, Medical, Continuing - statistics & numerical data; Europe; Graduate studies; Hospital Administration - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infection Control - organization & administration; Infection Control - statistics & numerical data; Infection Control Practitioners - education; Infection Control Practitioners - organization & administration; Infection prevention and control; Infections; Infectious diseases; Internal Medicine; Life Sciences; Medical Laboratory Personnel - education; Medical Laboratory Personnel - organization & administration; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Original; Original Article; Polls & surveys; Questionnaire; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Surveys and Questionnaires; Training
• ISSN: 0934-9723; 1435-4373; 1435-4373
• DOI: 10.1007/s10096-019-03648-2

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.