According to the World Health Organization Definition: “Antimicrobials are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.” The misuse of antibiotics is among the main drivers underpinning the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.”
In this context, WHO defines Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) “as a coherent set of integrated actions which promote the responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials to help improve patient outcome across the continuum of care”.
What are the actions recommended?
- Do only needed prescription;
- Select the optimal drug regimen and precise drug dosing;
- Define the route of administration and duration of treatment following proper and optimized diagnosis.
WHO developed the Policy Guidance on integrated AMS activities on how to implement national antimicrobial stewardship activities as a set of evidence based and pragmatic considerations, available in 6 UN languages. WHO also made available a Toolkit with 6 core components.
Antimicrobials Resistance (AMR) continues to be a serious challenge, which need to be addressed. Such drug abuse causes inefficient medical care and an increased risk to patients’ health. According to “Antimicrobial Resistance in EU / EEA – A one health response” the overall consumption of antibiotics in humans in the European Union and in the European Economic Area (EU / EEA) decreased by 23% between 2011 and 2020. The use of antimicrobial has increased and significant variability across countries suggests that reductions are still possible. In this report, the importance of implementing the health action plan against antimicrobial resistance in a timely manner was stressed: continuing to incentivize vaccines and pushing the consumption of new antibiotics and AMRs in term care facilities.
In this context, it is essential to establish a system for sharing best practices to combat AMR and to boost international collaboration on surveillance and regulation, including with non-EU / EEA partners.
The Antimicrobial Resistance is a “silent” enemy which is continuing to create severe health problems. The role of nurses, in combating AMR, is key for patients’ safety and for delivering high quality care.
AMR is an enemy which need to be tackled!!!