ECDC published a recent study which revealed that annually in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), approximately 4.3 million hospital patients acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) during their hospital stay . These findings are part of the third Point Prevalence Study (PPS) for the years 2022-2023, showing an acute need to intensify prevention and control measures.
Dr. Andrea Ammon, Director of ECDC, emphasized the importance of prioritizing policies and practices to prevent these infections, which represent a major challenge for patient safety across Europe. “By improving surveillance and effective antimicrobial stewardship, we can combat the spread of HAI and protect patient health,” said Ammon.
ECDC noted that in 2022-2023, respiratory infections, including healthcare-associated pneumonia and COVID-19, accounted for almost a third of all respiratory infections. These were followed by urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
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ECDC reported an increase in antimicrobial use. In the 2022-2023 PPS, 35.5% of patients received at least one antimicrobial agent, compared with 32.9% in the previous study in 2016-2017. ECDC highlights that a third of the microorganisms detected in IAAS were bacteria resistant to crucial antibiotics, which restricts treatment options.
ECDC believes that at least 20% of HAIs are preventable through effective and multifaceted infection control programs (IPC). Implementation of simple measures, such as hand hygiene and use of alcohol-based solution dispensers, can significantly reduce the number of HAIs, while more complex measures, such as ensuring an adequate number of single rooms and specialized IPC staff, are vital.
ECDC noted significant variation in the implementation of IPC programs in hospitals across Europe, which underscores the need for standardized practices and increased efforts to improve compliance with IPC measures.
Finally, ECDC emphasizes the importance of preventive measures for respiratory viral infections, including early testing and transmission-based precautions, to combat this growing threat in European healthcare settings.
