Scottish hospitals report tripling in infections resistant to ‘last-resort antibiotics’
The number of infections resistant to “last-resort antibiotics” in Scottish hospitals has tripled in two years, new figures have shown.
There were 66 organisms resistant to last-ditch carbapenem antibiotics in 2015 – up from 22 in 2013, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is “a major threat to both public health and patient safety”, according to HPS.
However, figures remain low and the growing trend “is likely to be partly the result of improved awareness”, it added.
Authorities have been working to control AMR, including prescribing guidelines for veterinarians amid concerns resistant microbes are evolving in inoculated animals and are migrating to humans through food consumption or contact.
Professor Jacqui Reilly (pictured) , HPS lead consultant in AMR and healthcare associated infections (HAI), said the rise in resistant infections is “a particular concern” for HPS.
“Carbapenems are a last-resort antibiotic for a number of serious infections and there will be limited treatment options left if this resistance continues to spread,” she said.
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a significant threat to global health.
“Although the overall numbers remain low in Scotland, CPOs (carbapenemase-producing organisms) represents a growing public health issue which we must contain.
“HPS continues to work alongside colleagues across NHS Scotland to reduce HAI and help prevent and control the spread of AMR including CPOs.”
The latest HAI annual report also shows that while rates of selected HAIs remained stable in Scotland in 2015, continued efforts to tackle HAI and AMR are required to further reduce risk and ensure patient safety.
Prof Reilly added: “We have seen a levelling trend in the incidence of key HAIs.
“Notably, rates of surgical site infection, HAIs among patients in intensive care units and Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias rates have all remained stable.
“Nonetheless, these infections still represent a significant burden on the NHS with thousands of cases each year.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2016, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Glasgow Caledonian University.
