The IMAGINE project launches a campaign to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance in nursing homes
The initiative “FACTS on antibiotics and microbial resistance: true or false” aims to demystify misconceptions about antimicrobial resistance, on the European Day of Awareness on the Prudent Use of Antibiotics
In the framework of the European Day of Awareness on the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, the IMAGINE project launches a campaign called” FACTS on antibiotics and microbial resistance in nursing homes: True or false”, which seeks to demystify misconceptions about antimicrobial resistance, especially in nursing homes. This initiative, which will take place from 18 to 24 November 2024, is designed to educate both health professionals and the public on the importance of carrying out a responsible use of antibiotics and preventing infections.
The campaign includes several statements related to both the IMAGINE project and antimicrobial resistance in general, which are assigned a value of “true” or “false”. The statement is then justified based on scientific evidence. The initiative addresses questions about the impact of resistance on healthcare costs and hospitalisations and the best strategies for prevention and diagnosis of urinary tract infections, among others.
The campaign highlights the importance of hygiene and prevention measures, demystifying the idea that they have a limited impact on the spread of infections. In this regard, good hand hygiene measures, the proper use of protective elements and the importance of maintaining adequate anogenital hygiene are highlighted as fundamental activities to reduce the incidence of infections, especially urinary tract infections, in nursing homes.
The goal of the campaign is to provide clear and accessible information to raise awareness about the increase and global impact of antimicrobial resistance and to raise awareness about the impact of antibiotic resistance in nursing homes.
Vulnerable population
The campaign also seeks to highlight the particularities of nursing homes, where the population is especially vulnerable, and the risk of infections is greater. This fact causes an increase in the use of antibiotics, which increases the risk of antibiotic resistance appearing. This situation worsens clinical conditions in a fragile population.
Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem that does not distinguish between developed and developing countries, or between people who have made appropriate use of antibiotics throughout their lives. It is a global public health problem and, for this reason, every year the European Union calls for the Day of Prudent Use of Antibiotics on November 18.
Antimicrobial resistance is a public health problem that causes more than 35,000 deaths each year in the European Union. Since 2019, the World Health Organization has ranked antimicrobial resistance among the top ten threats to global public health and, despite efforts, recent data reveal a worrying increase in the number of infections and deaths caused by bacteria resistance to antibiotics. If this trend continues, antimicrobial resistance could cause around 10 million deaths annually worldwide soon.
The IMAGINE project
The IMAGINE project aims to improve the use of antibiotics in nursing homes and make these drugs remain effective for everyone, especially for frail elderly people. The initiative promotes infection prevention measures and encourages the appropriate use of antibiotics in nursing homes in eight European countries: Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Denmark. This project is co-financed by the European Union through the EU4Health Programme. It is coordinated by IDIAPJGol researcher Carl Llor.
"Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”
