Antibiotic resistance rate in Abu Dhabi increasing to concerning levels
Preliminary findings from the Abu Dhabi Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2011(AD ARS 2011), to be published within the next few months, say that overall the development of antibiotic resistance among human pathogens in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is a serious concern and that several relevant resistance rates have significantly increased to a concerning high level, compared to published local rates from previous years.
Data analysis on the AD ARS 2011 database is currently being conducted by an expert working group under the lead of the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and the findings will be discussed by Dr. Jens Thomsen, Section Head, Occupational and Environmental Health, Public Health & Policy Division, HAAD, at the 8th Middle East Healthcare-Associated Infections Conference which will take place on 14 - 15 October 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.
The Healthcare-Associated Infections Conference is part of the 6th Abu Dhabi Medical Congress (ADMC) and has been designed to develop knowledge, skills and practice in infection prevention in order to implement best practice and ensure continuous progress towards the reduction of preventable HCAIs in the Arab world.
One of the main pillars of the HAAD strategy to combat the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the now established AD ARS system which is a system that allows the continuous monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance data. This allows creating the evidence base, to establish baseline data, to monitor trends and to monitor the effectiveness of interventions designed to combat AMR development and spread. Of particular concern in the healthcare setting is the prevention and control of multi-drug resistant organisms such as e.g. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli and Klebsiella strains, multi-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and other organisms with relevant single or multiple resistances.
The first report of data resulting from this system will be published very soon and will be the first comprehensive regional antimicrobial resistance surveillance report in the UAE and whole GCC region.
The direct economic and medical implications of increasing antibiotic resistance are tangible and very real for patients affected by AMR.
For more information on the Healthcare-Associated Infections Conference at ADMC 2012 visit www.abudhabimed.com.