Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
Volume 8, Issue 1, 2019

Cross-border comparison of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and AMR prevention measures: The healthcare workers' perspective (Article) (Open Access)

Keizer J.* , Braakman-Jansen L.M.A. , Kampmeier S. , Köck R. , Al Naiemi N. , Te Riet-Warning R. , Beerlage-De Jong N. , Becker K. , Van Gemert-Pijnen J.E.W.C.
  • a Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for EHealth and Wellbeing Research, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede, 7500AE, Netherlands
  • b Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for EHealth and Wellbeing Research, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede, 7500AE, Netherlands
  • c Institute of Hygiene, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
  • d Institute of Hygiene, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany, Institute of Hospital Hygiene Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
  • e Department of Infection Prevention, Hospital Group Twente, Almelo/Hengelo, Netherlands, LabMicTA, Hengelo, Netherlands
  • f Department of Infection Prevention, Hospital Group Twente, Almelo/Hengelo, Netherlands
  • g Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for EHealth and Wellbeing Research, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede, 7500AE, Netherlands
  • h Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
  • i Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for EHealth and Wellbeing Research, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede, 7500AE, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Cross-border healthcare may promote the spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) and is challenging due to heterogeneous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention measures (APM). The aim of this article is to compare healthcare workers (HCW) from Germany (DE) and The Netherlands (NL) on how they perceive and experience AMR and APM, which is important for safe patient exchange and effective cross-border APM cooperation. Methods: A survey was conducted amongst HCW (n = 574) in hospitals in DE (n = 305) and NL (n = 269), using an online self-administered survey between June 2017 and July 2018. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse differences between answers of German and Dutch physicians (n = 177) and German and Dutch nurses (n = 397) on 5-point Likert Items and Scales. Results: Similarities between DE and NL were a high awareness about the AMR problem and the perception that the possibility to cope with AMR is limited (30% respondents perceive their contribution to limit AMR as insufficient). Especially Dutch nurses scored significantly lower than German nurses on their contribution to limit AMR (means 2.6 vs. 3.1, p ≤ 0.001). German HCW were more optimistic about their potential role in coping with AMR (p ≤ 0.001), and scored higher on feeling sufficiently equipped to perform APM (p ≤ 0.003), although the mean scores did not differ much between German and Dutch respondents. Conclusions: Although both German and Dutch HCW are aware of the AMR problem, they should be more empowered to contribute to limiting AMR through APM (i.e. screening diagnostics, infection diagnosis, treatment and infection control) in their daily working routines. The observed differences reflect differences in local, national and cross-border structures, and differences in needs of HCW, that need to be considered for safe patient exchange and effective cross-border APM. © 2019 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Multidrug-resistant microorganisms Netherlands Germany Healthcare worker Infection control Euroregion prevention Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Cross-border

Index Keywords

male controlled study Netherlands female perception major clinical study Germany antibiotic resistance nonhuman awareness nurse Article health care personnel infection control human adult microorganism rank sum test
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85069780482&doi=10.1186%2fs13756-019-0577-4&partnerID=40&md5=14cc02e5459b39ac6f64bc5a4baebd4b
DOI: 10.1186/s13756-019-0577-4
ISSN: 20472994
Original Language: English