Journal article
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surveillance, prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance: A global survey
Robert Koch Institute1
University of the Witwatersrand2
UK Health Security Agency3
Brigham and Women’s Hospital4
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention5
University Hospital of Geneva6
King Abdulaziz Medical City7
Research Group for Global Capacity Building, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark8
Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark9
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark10
North Carolina State University11
Public Health Agency of Sweden12
...and 2 moreObjectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on health systems. The WHO Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance and Quality Assessment Collaborating Centres Network conducted a survey to assess the effects of COVID-19 on AMR surveillance, prevention and control. Methods: From October to December 2020, WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) national focal points completed a questionnaire, including Likert scales and open-ended questions.
Data were descriptively analysed, income/regional differences were assessed and free-text questions were thematically analysed. Results: Seventy-three countries across income levels participated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 67% reported limited ability to work with AMR partnerships; decreases in funding were frequently reported by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs; P < 0.01).
Reduced availability of nursing, medical and public health staff for AMR was reported by 71%, 69% and 64%, respectively, whereas 67% reported stable cleaning staff availability. The majority (58%) reported reduced reagents/consumables, particularly LMICs (P < 0.01). Decreased numbers of cultures, elective procedures, chronically ill admissions and outpatients and increased ICU admissions reported could bias AMR data.
Reported overall infection prevention and control (IPC) improvement could decrease AMR rates, whereas increases in selected inappropriate IPC practices and antimicrobial prescribing could increase rates. Most did not yet have complete data on changing AMR rates due to COVID-19. Conclusions: This was the first survey to explore the global impact of COVID-19 on AMR among GLASS countries.
Responses highlight important actions to help ensure that AMR remains a global health priority, including engaging with GLASS to facilitate reliable AMR surveillance data, seizing the opportunity to develop more sustainable IPC programmes, promoting integrated antibiotic stewardship guidance, leveraging increased laboratory capabilities and other system-strengthening efforts.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Year: | 2021 |
Pages: | 3045-3058 |
ISSN: | 14602091 and 03057453 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1093/jac/dkab300 |
ORCIDs: | Hendriksen, Rene S. , 0000-0001-6975-2663 , 0000-0003-0903-8614 and 0000-0001-5580-4629 |