Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) employs a cross-sectoral approach that recognises the urgent and growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for human health worldwide. The overall goal of iNAP is to ensure, for as long as possible, the availability of effective antibiotic treatment options for both human and animal populations, with safe medicines that are quality- assured, used in a responsible way, and accessible to all who need them. iNAP provides a situational analysis overview for the health, agricultural and environmental sectors. It presents key strategic interventions for tackling antimicrobial resistance in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) requirements across the three sectors. These interventions represent Ireland’s commitment to the development and implementation of a holistic, cross-sectoral ‘One Health’ approach to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The ‘One Health’ concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of healthcare for humans, animals and the environment. Recognizing that human health, animal health and environmental health are inextricably linked, ‘One Health’ seeks to promote, improve and to defend the health and wellbeing of all by enhancing cooperation and collaboration between all those involved in the protection of human health, animal health and the environment and by promoting strengths in leadership and management to achieve these goals. More specifically, iNAP aims to: Improve awareness and knowledge of AMR through information campaigns, education, intelligence and data; Enhance surveillance of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use through surveillance systems that facilitate greater standardization of data collection, data linkage and sharing of real time information; Reduce infection and disease spread through infection and disease prevention and control measures, including national guidelines and standards in relation to hygiene and biosecurity practices; Optimise the use of antibiotics in human and animal health through development and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes, promotion of prudent prescribing practices and access to rapid diagnostics; and Promote research and sustainable investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions through measuring evaluable costs of HCAI/AMR, identifying research opportunities and working with key stakeholders to develop alternative disease treatment tools. To enable more efficient agricultural and food systems, the plan envisions the following multi-track approach: 1) developing sector specific guidelines in relation to prudent use of antimicrobials in animals including sector specific codes of good practice for veterinary practitioners and farmers, a voluntary code of good practice to restrict the use of highest priority critically important antibiotics as defined by the European Medicines Agency, Update the Code of Ethical Veterinary Practice, a review of the use of medicated feed in Ireland, tools that allow farmers to readily assess the volume and the cost of antibiotics being used on their farms; 2) Ensure legislation provides a mechanism for tackling inappropriate use including Review legislation underpinning the prescription, sale and supply of antimicrobials in the animal health sector to better reflect current best knowledge, and international standards; 3) Harmonisation and updating of product labelling for older antibiotics a review of summary of product characteristics (SPCs) for veterinary antibiotics with the objective of ensuring that they comply with international best practice in relation to prudent use. The National Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee will have overall responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the national action plan. The implementation of the plan will be assessed at each of the bi-annual meetings, and at any other meetings considered necessary during the lifetime of the plan (2017-2020). The Committee will monitor progress with the implementation of specific actions in all three sectors- health, agriculture and the environment, and will provide advice and guidance in relation to any issues that arise, in accordance with its existing terms of reference. Stakeholders will provide updates, at appropriate intervals, to the Committee on progress of the implementation of iNAP. The Committee will support the preparation of the next ‘One Health’ national antimicrobial resistance action plan. The following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are reported through the HSE National Service Plan 2017: Rate of new cases of hospital acquired Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) bloodstream infection; Rate of new cases of hospital acquired C. difficile infection; Percentage compliance of hospital staff with the WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene using the national hand hygiene audit tool.
Ireland · 2017-01-01