Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in European ICUs

Antibiotic resistance among bacteria causing hospital-acquired infections p oses a threat, particularly to patients in intensive care units (ICUs). In order to control the spread of resistant bacteria, local, regional and nati onal resistance surveillance data must be used to develop efficient interve ntion strategies. In an attempt to identify national differences and the dy namics of antibiotic resistance in European ICUs, data have been merged fro m several networks of resistance surveillance performed during the 1990s. I t should be stressed, however, that comparisons of results from different s tudies using different methods and different population samples must be mad e with caution. Antibiotic resistance across all species and drugs Tn-as, w ith some exceptions, highest in southern European countries and Russia, and lowest in Scandinavia. More effective strategies are needed to control the selection and spread of resistant organisms. Antibiotic intervention polic ies, efficient infection control measures and an overall awareness of the s erious implications at public health level will contribute to the managemen t of antibiotic resistance. (C) 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.