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. 2018 Nov;23(46):1800393.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.23.46.1800393.

Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017

Diamantis Plachouras  1 , Tommi Kärki  1 , Sonja Hansen  2 , Susan Hopkins  3 , Outi Lyytikäinen  4 , Maria Luisa Moro  5 , Jacqui Reilly  6   7 , Peter Zarb  8 , Walter Zingg  9 , Pete Kinross  1 , Klaus Weist  1 , Dominique L Monnet  1 , Carl Suetens  1 ; Point Prevalence Survey Study Group  10
Affiliations

Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017

Diamantis Plachouras et al. Euro Surveill. 2018 Nov.

Erratum in

  • Authors' correction for Euro Surveill. 2018;23(46).
    Eurosurveillance editorial team. Eurosurveillance editorial team. Euro Surveill. 2018 Nov;23(47):1811222. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.47.1811222. Euro Surveill. 2018. PMID: 30482260 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Antimicrobial agents used to treat infections are life-saving. Overuse may result in more frequent adverse effects and emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. In 2016-17, we performed the second point-prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. We included 1,209 hospitals and 310,755 patients in 28 of 31 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. The weighted prevalence of antimicrobial use in the EU/EEA was 30.5% (95% CI: 29.2-31.9%). The most common indication for prescribing antimicrobials was treatment of a community-acquired infection, followed by treatment of HAI and surgical prophylaxis. Over half (54.2%) of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were prescribed for more than 1 day. The most common infections treated by antimicrobials were respiratory tract infections and the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents were penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors. There was wide variation of patients on antimicrobials, in the selection of antimicrobial agents and in antimicrobial stewardship resources and activities across the participating countries. The results of the PPS provide detailed information on antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals, enable comparisons between countries and hospitals, and highlight key areas for national and European action that will support efforts towards prudent use of antimicrobials.

Keywords: antibiotic use; antimicrobial use; healthcare-associated infections; hospitals; point-prevalence survey; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Indications for antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals, 28 European Union/European Economic Area countriesa and Serbia, 2016–2017
Figure 2
Figure 2
Surgical prophylaxis in acute care hospitals, by dose and duration, 28 European Union/European Economic Area countriesa and Serbia, 2016–2017
Figure 3
Figure 3
Antimicrobial agents (ATC code) accounting for 75% of antimicrobial use (Drug Utilisation 75%) in acute care hospitals, European Union/European Economic Area countries, 2016–2017
Figure 4
Figure 4
Proportion of broad-spectrum antibacterialsa among all antibacterials for systemic use (J01), 28 European Union/European Economic Area countriesb and Serbia, 2016–2017
Figure 5
Figure 5
Change of antimicrobial during the infection episode and reported reason for change, 26 European Union/European Economic Area countriesa and Serbia, 2016–2017
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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