In recent years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been identified as a major health threat. The 2014 European Antibiotic Awareness Day drew attention to the consequences arising from the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, for instance through self-medication.
The emergence of multi-drug resistant ’superbugs’ as a result is a serious threat to health throughout Europe.
European Health Ministers recently issued Council conclusions which expand the EU level discourse about patient safety and quality of care beyond its already established link with healthcare associated infections (HAI) (as per the 2009 Council Recommendation on patient safety) to the broader health threats realm of AMR.
In its Conclusions, the Council of Health Ministers notes the EU’s efforts to tackle AMR including the European Commission’s 2011 ’Action Plan on combating the rising threat from antimicrobial resistance’, its own conclusions from 2012 on the impact of AMR in the human health and veterinary sector , as well as the May 2014 World Health Assembly Resolution on AMR. Infections do not respect geographical boundaries and preventing and controlling them effectively is of utmost importance, all the more so in light of Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare and increased supranational efforts to combine resources, as stipulated by Decision 1082/2013 on serious cross-border health threats. The Council of Health Ministers also mentions the many patient safety initiatives underway, including the work of the Patient Safety and Quality of Care Working Group and the European Network for Patient Safety and Quality of Care (Joint Action PaSQ).
National governments and the Commission are asked to promote a patient safety culture, coupled with just and blame-free reporting on adverse events at healthcare setting level. Patient safety and infection control, including fighting AMR, are closely interlinked with each other. Moreover, EU guidance should be developed for “patient/citizen involvement in strategies on patient safety”. The work of the Joint Action should result by the end of 2016, in a framework for sustainable EU collaboration on patient safety and quality of care.
The Commission should also ensure that the strategies contained in its 2012 and June 2014 progress reports on the implementation of the 2009 Council Recommendation on Patient Safety are implemented and refined in all care settings. Ministers asks the Commission to explore the feasibility of a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the provision of information to patients on patient safety.
From a healthcare professional point of view, the Council invites national governments and the Commission to promote the collection of information on adverse events, as well as stimulating further work on the dimensions of quality in healthcare, also taking into account the work of the World Health Organization (WHO). Education and training of healthcare staff should be promoted at national level, taking into account the core competencies developed by ECDC in this field.
Prevention is fundamental to ensuring sustainable healthcare systems. Evidence-based policies aiming at patient safety, establishing guidelines and encouraging exchanges of best practice, as well as promoting the continuous professional development of healthcare professionals in infection control and AMR, mare a step in the right direction.