%0 Journal Article %J Viruses %D 2023 %T COVID-19 Clusters in Belgian Nursing Homes: Impact of Facility Characteristics and Vaccination on Cluster Occurrence, Duration and Severity %A Sara Dequeker %A Milena Callies %A Lucy Catteau %A Laura Int Panis %A Esma Islamaj %A Sofieke Klamer %A Katrien Latour %A Marijke Pauwels %A Catharina Vernemmen %A Romain Mahieu %A Hanna Masson %A Muhammet Savsin %A Etienne Clercq %A Mireille Thomas %A Boudewijn Catry %A Eline Vandael %K clusters %K infection prevention %K long-term care facilities %K SARS-CoV-2 %K Vaccination %X

COVID-19 severely affected nursing home residents from March 2020 onwards in Belgium. This study aimed to model the impact of vaccination and facility characteristics on cluster occurrence, duration and severity in this setting. Possible clusters were identified between June 2020 and January 2022, based on the Belgian COVID-19 surveillance in nursing homes. Median attack rates (AR) among residents and staff, case hospitalization rates (CHR) and case fatality rates (CFR) were calculated. A negative binomial model was used to identify the association between nursing home characteristics and the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths and the duration of the cluster. A total of 2,239 clusters were detected in more than 80% of nursing homes. Most of these (62%) occurred before the start of COVID-19 vaccination (end of December 2020). After vaccination, the number of clusters, the AR among residents and staff, the CHR and the CFR dropped. Previous cluster(s) and vaccination decreased the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths among residents. Previous cluster experience and having started vaccination were protective factors. We recommend continued implementation of targeted interventions such as vaccination, large-scale screening and immediate implementation of additional infection prevention and control measures.

%B Viruses %V 15 %8 Jan-01-2023 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.3390/v15010232 %0 Journal Article %J Archives of Public Health %D 2022 %T COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian nursing homes: results of a surveillance conducted between April and December 2020 %A Eline Vandael %A Katrien Latour %A Esma Islamaj %A Laura Int Panis %A Milena Callies %A Freek Haarhuis %A Kristiaan Proesmans %A Brecht Devleesschauwer %A Javiera Rebolledo %A Alice Hannecart %A Romain Mahieu %A Louise De Viron %A Etienne De Clercq %A Anne Kongs %A Naïma Hammami %A Jean-Marc François %A Dominique Dubourg %A Sarah Henz %A Boudewijn Catry %A Sara Dequeker %X

BACKGROUND: In Belgium, the first COVID-19 death was reported on 10 March 2020. Nursing home (NH) residents are particularly vulnerable for COVID-19, making it essential to follow-up the spread of COVID-19 in this setting. This manuscript describes the methodology of surveillance and epidemiology of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian NHs.

METHODS: A COVID-19 surveillance in all Belgian NHs (n = 1542) was set up by the regional health authorities and Sciensano. Aggregated data on possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and case-based data on deaths were reported by NHs at least once a week. The study period covered April-December 2020. Weekly incidence/prevalence data were calculated per 1000 residents or staff members.

RESULTS: This surveillance has been launched within 14 days after the first COVID-19 death in Belgium. Automatic data cleaning was installed using different validation rules. More than 99% of NHs participated at least once, with a median weekly participation rate of 95%. The cumulative incidence of possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents was 206/1000 in the first wave and 367/1000 in the second wave. Most NHs (82%) reported cases in both waves and 74% registered ≥10 possible/confirmed cases among residents at one point in time. In 51% of NHs, at least 10% of staff was absent due to COVID-19 at one point. Between 11 March 2020 and 3 January 2021, 11,329 COVID-19 deaths among NH residents were reported, comprising 57% of all COVID-19 deaths in Belgium in that period.

CONCLUSIONS: This surveillance was crucial in mapping COVID-19 in this vulnerable setting and guiding public health interventions, despite limitations of aggregated data and necessary changes in protocol over time. Belgian NHs were severely hit by COVID-19 with many fatal cases. The measure of not allowing visitors, implemented in the beginning of the pandemic, could not avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the NHs during the first wave. The virus was probably often introduced by staff. Once the virus was introduced, it was difficult to prevent healthcare-associated outbreaks. Although, in contrast to the first wave, personal protective equipment was available in the second wave, again a high number of cases were reported.

%B Archives of Public Health %V 80 %8 Jan-12-2022 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s13690-022-00794-6 %0 Report %D 2021 %T Antimicrobial Consumption in Belgium: 10-year evolution (2010-2019) in the community, nursing homes and hospitals %A Eline Vandael %A Katrien Latour %A Boudewijn Catry %K antimicrobial consumption %K Belgium %I Sciensano %C Brussels %P 89 %8 2021-03-29 %G eng %M D/2021/14.440/10 %0 Report %D 2021 %T Protocol COVID-19 surveillance in residentiële instellingen - versie 5.2 %A Sara Dequeker %A Katrien Latour %A Esma Islamaj %A Laura Int Panis %A Milena Callies %A Lucy Catteau %A Boudewijn Catry %A Natalia Bustos Sierra %A Françoise Renard %A Eline Vandael %G eng %0 Report %D 2021 %T Protocole surveillance COVID-19 dans les institutions résidentiels - version 5.2 %A Sara Dequeker %A Katrien Latour %A Esma Islamaj %A Laura Int Panis %A Milena Callies %A Lucy Catteau %A Boudewijn Catry %A Natalia Bustos Sierra %A Françoise Renard %A Eline Vandael %P 19 %8 01/06/2021 %G eng %0 Report %D 2021 %T Surveillance de la vaccination COVID-19 dans les maisons de repos et maisons de repos et de soins belges. Résultats jusqu’au 24 mars 2021. %A Lucy Catteau %A Freek Haarhuis %A Sara Dequeker %A Eline Vandael %A Amber Litzroth %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %K COVD-19 %K nursing homes %K vaccination coverage %X

Les résidents et le personnel des maisons de repos et maisons de repos et de soins (MR/MRS) constituent le premier groupe prioritaire de la stratégie Belge de vaccination contre la COVID-19. La campagne de vaccination de ce groupe s’est déroulée du 28 Décembre 2020 au 24 Mars 2021. Au terme de celle-ci, sur base d’une surveillance à laquelle > 85 % des MR/MRS belges ont participé, la couverture vaccinale atteinte chez les résidents des MR/MRS était très élevée dans l’ensemble de ces établissements, avec une moyenne nationale de 89,4 %. Les premiers signaux de l’impact bénéfique de cette vaccination massive sur l’épidémie du COVID-19 apparaissent, avec une diminution du nombre de clusters de cas confirmés en MR/MRS mais également du nombre d’hospitalisations et de décès parmi les résidents des MR/MRS belges. Les couvertures vaccinales atteintes chez les membres du personnel de MR/MRS sont par contre plus faibles. Elles étaient comprises entre 47 % et 65 % dans les MR/MRS dépendantes de Bruxelles, de la Communauté germanophone et de la Wallonie, et atteignaient 86,5 % dans les MR/MRS dépendantes de la Flandre à la date du 24 mars 2021. Des données collectées en Flandre et à Bruxelles montrent que la principale raison de non vaccination tant chez les membres du personnel que chez les résidents est un refus sans raison médicale. Ces résultats indiquent une hésitation vaccinale significative à examiner plus précisément dans le futur afin de comprendre les motivations exactes de ce refus. Après le 24 mars, le processus de vaccination se poursuit encore dans les MR/MRS mais à un niveau plus spécifique afin de garantir la vaccination des nouveaux résidents entrant en MR/MRS ainsi que la vaccination des membres du personnel qui la demanderaient après un premier refus.

%I Sciensano %C Belgium %P 20 %8 Avril 2021 %G eng %M D/2021/14.440/31 %0 Report %D 2021 %T Surveillance van de COVID-19 vaccinatie in Belgische woonzorgcentra. Resultaten tot 24 maart 2021. %A Lucy Catteau %A Freek Haarhuis %A Sara Dequeker %A Eline Vandael %A Veerle Stouten %A Amber Litzroth %A Chloé Wyndham-Thomas %K COVID-19 %K vaccinatiegraad %K woonzorgcentra %X

Bewoners en personeel van woonzorgcentra (WZC) zijn de eerste prioritaire groep binnen de Belgische vaccinatiestrategie tegen COVID-19. De vaccinatiecampagne voor deze groep vond plaats van 28 december 2020 tot en met 24 maart 2021. Op het einde van deze campagne, gebaseerd op een bevraging waaraan > 85 % van de Belgische WZC heeft deelgenomen, was de bereikte vaccinatiegraad onder de bewoners van de WZC zeer hoog in al deze instellingen, met een nationaal gemiddelde van 89,4 %. De eerste tekenen van het gunstige effect van deze massale vaccinatie op de COVID-19- epidemie beginnen zichtbaar te worden, met een daling van het aantal clusters van bevestigde gevallen in WZC, maar ook van het aantal ziekenhuisopnames en sterfgevallen onder de Belgische WZC bewoners. Daarentegen is de vaccinatiegraad van het WZC personeel lager. Op 24 maart 2021 lag deze tussen de 47 % en 65 % in de Brusselse, de Duitstalige en Waalse WZC, en bereikte deze 86,5 % in de Vlaamse WZC. Uit gegevens die in Vlaanderen en in Brussel zijn verzameld, blijkt dat de belangrijkste reden om zich niet te laten vaccineren bij zowel personeelsleden als bewoners een weigering zonder medische reden is. Deze resultaten wijzen op een aanzienlijke aarzeling om zich te laten vaccineren, wat nauwkeuriger onderzocht moet worden om de exacte redenen voor deze weigering te begrijpen. Na 24 maart loopt het vaccinatieproces nog steeds door in de WZC, meer specifiek gericht, om te garanderen dat de nieuwe bewoners van WZC gevaccineerd worden, alsook personeelsleden die vragen om gevaccineerd te worden nadat ze eerst geweigerd hadden.

%P 20 %8 05 2021 %G eng %M D/2021/14.440/32 %0 Journal Article %J Acta Clin Belg %D 2020 %T Antibiotic use and resistance in Belgium: the impact of two decades of multi-faceted campaigning. %A R Bruyndonckx %A Coenen, S %A N Hens %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %A Goossens, H %X

: To present an overview of almost two decades of multi-faceted campaigning by the Belgian Antibiotic Policy Coordination Committee (BAPCOC) and partners, and its impact on public and prescribers' awareness, outpatient antibiotic use, its cost and antimicrobial resistance in Belgium.: Awareness of both public and prescribers was assessed through pre- and post-campaign interviews and surveys. Outpatient antibiotic use was evaluated using national reimbursement data expressed in number of defined daily doses and packages (a good proxy for treatments) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID and PID, respectively) from July 1997 to June 2018. Its cost was studied using the same data expressed in number of euros per 1000 inhabitants per day. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated between 1986 and 2017 using national data on the proportion of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates not susceptible to penicillins, macrolides and tetracyclines.: Antibiotic awareness improved significantly, with general practitioners preferred by 87.5% of respondents as source of information. The Belgian outpatient antibiotic use has decreased by 12.8% in DID and by 42.8% in PID in the 2017-2018 winter compared to the winter before the start of its public awareness campaigns (1999-2000). This evolution coincided with decreasing costs for antibiotics and decreasing antimicrobial resistance. Despite multi-faceted campaigning, outpatient antibiotic use and use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, are still high in Belgium.: Almost two decades of multi-faceted campaigning coincide with improvements in antibiotic awareness among the public and prescribers, outpatient antibiotic use and resistance. Nevertheless, additional efforts are needed to reach the targets set in BAPCOC's national action plan 2014-2019. Therefore, a new national action plan was developed for 2020-2024 using a One Health approach.

%B Acta Clin Belg %8 2020 Feb 05 %G eng %R 10.1080/17843286.2020.1721135 %0 Journal Article %J Antimicrob Resist Infect Control %D 2020 %T Point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use and healthcare-associated infections in Belgian acute care hospitals: results of the Global-PPS and ECDC-PPS 2017. %A Eline Vandael %A Katrien Latour %A Goossens, Herman %A Koen Magerman %A Nico Drapier %A Boudewijn Catry %A Versporten, Ann %K point prevalence survey; healthcare-associated infections; antimicrobial use; acute care hospitals; Belgium %X

Background: The point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC-PPS) and the Global Point Prevalence Survey of antimicrobial consumption (Global-PPS) were simultaneously performed in Belgian acute care hospitals in 2017.

Methods: Belgian acute care hospitals were invited to participate in either the ECDC or Global-PPS. Hospital/ward/patient-level data were collected between September-December 2017. All patients present in the wards at 8 a.m. on the day of the PPS were included. The data of the ECDC and Global-PPS on antimicrobial consumption were pooled. Detailed data on HAIs were analysed for ECDC-PPS.

Results: Overall, 110 Belgian acute care hospital sites participated in the ECDC and Global-PPS (countrywide participation rate: 81.4%, 28,007 patients). Overall, a crude prevalence of patients with at least one antimicrobial of 27.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.5-27.6%) was found. The most frequently reported indications were pneumonia (23.2%), urinary tract infections (15.2%) and skin and soft tissue infections (11.9%). The reason for antimicrobial use was recorded for 81.9% of the prescriptions, a stop/review date for 40.8% and compliance with local antibiotic guidelines for 76.6%. In the ECDC-PPS, the crude prevalence of patients with at least one HAI was 7.3% (95%CI 6.8-7.7%). Most frequently reported HAIs were pneumonia (21.6%) and urinary tract infections (21.3%).

Conclusions: HAI and antimicrobial use prevalence remained stable in comparison with the previous PPS (7.1% and 27.4% in 2011 and 2015, respectively). Belgian hospitals should be further stimulated to set local targets to improve antibiotic prescribing and reduce HAI.

%B Antimicrob Resist Infect Control %V 9 %8 2020 %G eng %R 10.1186/s13756-019-0663-7 %0 Report %D 2020 %T Protocol COVID-19 surveillance in residential institutions - version 4.2 %A Sara Dequeker %A Katrien Latour %A Esma Islamaj %A Laura Int Panis %A Milena Callies %A Lucy Catteau %A Boudewijn Catry %A Eline Vandael %V version 3.3 %P 19 %8 01/07/2020 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Euro Surveill %D 2019 %T Antibiotic consumption in Belgian acute care hospitals: analysis of the surveillance methodology, consumption evolution 2003 to 2016 and future perspectives. %A Eline Vandael %A Koen Magerman %A Coenen, Samuel %A Goossens, Herman %A Boudewijn Catry %K antibiotic consumption %K antimicrobial use %K Belgium %K hospitals %K Surveillance %X

Background: Studies have demonstrated the link between antimicrobial consumption and the development of antimicrobial resistance. Surveillance of antimicrobial consumption is an action point of the European Commission's 'One Health Action Plan Against Antimicrobial Resistance'.Aim: This study aims to compare two methodologies for antibiotic consumption surveillance, investigate the 14-year evolution of antibiotic consumption in Belgian acute care hospitals and discuss future perspectives.Methods: We compared self-reported data (old methodology) and reimbursement data (new methodology) of national antibiotic consumption surveillance in hospitals. Descriptive analyses were performed on the reimbursement data collected per year and per trimester (2003-2016), per hospital and per unit. Antibiotic consumption was compared with European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Network (ESAC-Net) results. Results: The median differences for defined daily doses (DDDs)/1,000 patient days and DDDs/1,000 admissions were 3.09% and 3.94% when comparing the old vs new methodology. Based on reimbursement data, the median antibiotic consumption in 2016 in 102 Belgian acute care hospitals was 577.1 DDDs/1,000 patient days and 3,890.3 DDDs/1,000 admissions with high variation between hospitals (interquartile ranges (IQR): 511.3-655.0 and 3,450.0-4,400.5, respectively), and similar to 2015. Based on DDDs/1,000 patient days, the magnitude of consumption is comparable with the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, but is higher when based on DDDs/1,000 admissions. Conclusion: Antibiotic consumption in Belgian acute care hospitals has remained overall stable over time. However, the high variation across hospitals should be further investigated. This surveillance data could be used for benchmarking and assessing interventions to improve antibiotic consumption in these hospitals.

%B Euro Surveill %V 24 %8 2019 Nov %G eng %N 46 %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.46.1900098 %0 Journal Article %J Int Dent J %D 2019 %T Antimicrobial prescribing by Belgian dentists in ambulatory care, from 2010 to 2016. %A Thomas Struyf %A Eline Vandael %A Roos Leroy %A Karl Mertens %A Boudewijn Catry %K Ambulatory Care %K Anti-Bacterial Agents %K Anti-Infective Agents %K Belgium %K Dentists %K Humans %X

OBJECTIVES: To describe antimicrobial prescribing by Belgian dentists in ambulatory care, from 2010 until 2016.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reimbursement data from the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance were analysed to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing (WHO ATC-codes J01/P01AB). Utilisation was expressed in defined daily doses (DDDs), and in DDDs and packages per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID and PID, respectively). Additionally, the number of DDD and packages per prescriber was calculated.

RESULTS: In 2016, the dentistry-related prescribing rate of 'Antibacterials for systemic use' (J01) and 'Antiprotozoals' (P01AB) was 1.607 and 0.014 DID, respectively. From 2010 to 2016, the DID rate of J01 increased by 6.3%, while the PID rate declined by 6.7%. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin with an enzyme inhibitor were the most often prescribed products, followed by clindamycin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, azithromycin and metronidazole. The proportion of amoxicillin relative to amoxicillin with an enzyme inhibitor was low. The narrow-spectrum antibiotic penicillin V was almost never prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics typically classified as broad- or extended-spectrum were prescribed most often by Belgian dentists during the period 2000-2016. Although the DID rate of all 'Antibacterials for systemic use' (J01) increased over the years, the number of prescriptions per dentist decreased since 2013. The high prescription level of amoxicillin with an enzyme inhibitor is particularly worrying. It indicates that there is a need for comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for Belgian dentists.

%B Int Dent J %V 69 %8 2019 Dec %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1111/idj.12512 %0 Report %D 2019 %T Belgian Hospitals – Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (BeH-SAC): 15-year evolution (2003-2017) of antimicrobial consumption in Belgian hospitals %A Eline Vandael %A Magerman,K. %A Boudewijn Catry %K antimicrobial consumption %K Belgian hospitals %K Surveillance %P 38 %8 15/03/2019 %G eng %U http://www.nsih.be/surv_gm/download_en.asp %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Results of the Global and ECDC Point Prevalence Surveys of Antimicrobial Use and Healthcare-Associated Infections in Belgian Acute Care Hospitals in 2017 %A Eline Vandael %A Katrien Latour %A Goossens,H. %A Magerman,K. %A Boudewijn Catry %A Versporten, Ann %K antimicrobial use %K healthcare associated infections %K point-prevalence %B ECCMID %C Amsterdam %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Eurosurveillance %D 2018 %T Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017 %A Plachouras, Diamantis %A Tommi Kärki %A Sonja Hansen %A Susan Hopkins %A Lyytikäinen, Outi %A Maria Luisa Moro %A Jacqui Reilly %A Zarb, Peter %A Walter Zingg %A Pete Kinross %A Klaus Weist %A Dominique L. Monnet %A Suetens, Carl %A Katrien Latour %A Eline Vandael %K Acute care hospitals %K antimicrobial use %K Healthcare-associated infection %X

Antimicrobial agents used to treat infections are life-saving. Overuse may result in more frequent adverse effects and emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. In 2016-17, we performed the second point-prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals. We included 1,209 hospitals and 310,755 patients in 28 of 31 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. The weighted prevalence of antimicrobial use in the EU/EEA was 30.5% (95% CI: 29.2-31.9%). The most common indication for prescribing antimicrobials was treatment of a community-acquired infection, followed by treatment of HAI and surgical prophylaxis. Over half (54.2%) of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were prescribed for more than 1 day. The most common infections treated by antimicrobials were respiratory tract infections and the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents were penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors. There was wide variation of patients on antimicrobials, in the selection of antimicrobial agents and in antimicrobial stewardship resources and activities across the participating countries. The results of the PPS provide detailed information on antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals, enable comparisons between countries and hospitals, and highlight key areas for national and European action that will support efforts towards prudent use of antimicrobials.

%B Eurosurveillance %V 23 %8 Mar-11-2019 %G eng %N 46 %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.23.46.1800393 %0 Government Document %D 2018 %T Antimicrobiële consumptie in de ambulante praktijk en ziekenhuizen in België: resultaten van de ESAC-Net en BeH-SAC surveillances %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %B Noso-Info %V XXII %P 3 %G eng %N 4 %R http://www.nosoinfo.be/nosoinfos/antimicrobiele-consumptie-in-de-ambulante-praktijk-en-ziekenhuizen-in-belgie-resultaten-van-de-esac-net-en-beh-sac-surveillances/?lang=nl&ref=r418 %0 Government Document %D 2018 %T Consommation d’antimicrobiens dans la pratique ambulatoire et les hôpitaux en Belgique : résultat des surveillances ESAC-Net et BeH-SAC %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %B Noso-Info %V XXII %P 3 %G eng %N 4 %R http://www.nosoinfo.be/nosoinfos/consommation-dantimicrobiens-dans-la-pratique-ambulatoire-et-les-hopitaux-en-belgique-resultat-des-surveillances-esac-net-et-beh-sac/?ref=r418 %0 Report %D 2018 %T Point Prevalence Study of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Use in Belgian Acute-Care Hospitals: Results of the ECDC PPS 2017 %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %A Katrien Latour %K point prevalence survey; healthcare-associated infections; antimicrobial use; acute care hospitals; Belgium %X

Background:

In 2011, the first European point prevalence study (PPS) of antimicrobial use and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was organised by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In the participating Belgian acute care hospital sites (N=52, September-December 2011), the prevalence of patients with at least one antimicrobial and at least one HAI was 28.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.8-31.1%) and 7.1% (95% CI: 6.1-8.3%), respectively. The objective of this report is to present the results of the second ECDC PPS conducted in 2017 in Belgian acute care hospitals.

Methods:

All Belgian acute care hospitals were invited to participate in the ECDC PPS 2017. In addition, a representative random sample of hospitals was selected which received an individualized invitation to participate. Training was provided to the participating hospitals in September 2017, followed by the data collection between September and November 2017. Data were collected at hospital, ward and patient levels. All patients who were present on the ward at 8h00 a.m. on the day of the PPS and who were not discharged at the time of the survey had to be included. Data collection had to be performed on one single day per ward, within a maximum period of 2 to 3 weeks for each hospital.

Results:

In total, 47 acute care hospital sites (33 mergers, of which 22 primary, 9 secondary and 2 tertiary hospitals, countrywide participation 32.4%) participated in the ECDC PPS (11800 patients included, mean age 60.2±25.3 year, 55.2% females). The crude prevalence of patients with at least one antimicrobial agent was 28.1% (95% CI: 27.3-29.0%). Medical prophylaxis, surgical prophylaxis and treatment of HAIs were reported as indication in 6.2%, 13.5% and 24.2% of the prescribed antimicrobial agents (N=4103), respectively. The top 3 of most used antimicrobial agents consisted of amoxicillin in combination with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (J01CR02, 19.7%), cefazolin (J01DB04, 9.7%) and piperacillin in combination with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (J01CR05, 7.7%). The most frequently reported diagnoses for medical antimicrobial treatment were pneumonia (22.2%) and urinary tract infections (11.2%). The reason for antimicrobial use was available in 80.8% of the medical notes.

A crude prevalence of patients with at least one HAI of 7.3% (95% CI: 6.8-7.7%) was detected. The most frequently reported HAIs (N=911) were pneumonia (21.6%), urinary tract infections (21.3%) and surgical site infections (16.9%). Microbiological results were available for 62.0% of the HAIs. A total of 721 microorganisms were reported. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (17.8%).

Conclusions:

In comparison with the Belgian results of the ECDC PPS in 2011, the prevalence of antimicrobial consumption and the prevalence of HAI remained the same. The reasons for the high prevalence of HAIs should be further investigated and targets should be set to improve. It is recommended that hospitals participate regulary in a PPS.

%I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %P 34 %8 11/2018 %G eng %U http://www.nsih.be/ecdcpps/download_nl.asp %M D/2018/14.440/37 %0 Journal Article %J Eurosurveillance %D 2018 %T Prevalence of healthcare-associated infections, estimated incidence and composite antimicrobial resistance index in acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities: results from two European point prevalence surveys, 2016 to 2017 %A Suetens, Carl %A Katrien Latour %A Tommi Kärki %A Enrico Ricchizzi %A Pete Kinross %A Maria Luisa Moro %A Beatrice Jans %A Susan Hopkins %A Sonja Hansen %A Lyytikäinen, Outi %A Jacqui Reilly %A Aleksander Deptula %A Walter Zingg %A Plachouras, Diamantis %A Dominique L Monnet %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %K Acute care hospitals %K Antimicrobial resistance %K antimicrobial use %K Healthcare-associated infection %K long-term care facilities %X

Point prevalence surveys of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial use in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) from 2016 to 2017 included 310,755 patients from 1,209 acute care hospitals (ACH) in 28 countries and 117,138 residents from 2,221 long-term care facilities (LTCF) in 23 countries. After national validation, we estimated that 6.5% (cumulative 95% confidence interval (cCI): 5.4–7.8%) patients in ACH and 3.9% (95% cCI: 2.4–6.0%) residents in LTCF had at least one HAI (country-weighted prevalence). On any given day, 98,166 patients (95% cCI: 81,022–117,484) in ACH and 129,940 (95% cCI: 79,570–197,625) residents in LTCF had an HAI. HAI episodes per year were estimated at 8.9 million (95% cCI: 4.6–15.6 million), including 4.5 million (95% cCI: 2.6–7.6 million) in ACH and 4.4 million (95% cCI: 2.0–8.0 million) in LTCF; 3.8 million (95% cCI: 3.1–4.5 million) patients acquired an HAI each year in ACH. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to selected AMR markers was 31.6% in ACH and 28.0% in LTCF. Our study confirmed a high annual number of HAI in healthcare facilities in the EU/EEA and indicated that AMR in HAI in LTCF may have reached the same level as in ACH.

%B Eurosurveillance %V 23 %8 Mar-11-2019 %G eng %N 46 %R 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.46.1800516 %0 Government Document %D 2018 %T Resultaten van de tweede ECDC puntprevalentiestudie van antimicrobiële consumptie en zorginfecties in Belgische acute ziekenhuizen in 2017 %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %A Katrien Latour %K Acute care hospitals %K Antimicrobial resistance %K antimicrobial use %K Healthcare-associated infection %X

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%B Noso-Info %I Noso-Info %C Brussels, Belgium %V XXII %P 3 %8 2018 %G eng %N 4 %& 10 %0 Government Document %D 2018 %T Résultats de la deuxième étude de prévalence sur la consommation d’antimicrobiens et les infections de soins dans les hôpitaux belges aigus en 2017 %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %A Katrien Latour %K Acute care hospital %K Antimicrobial resistance %K antimicrobial use %K Healthcare-associated infection %X

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%B Noso-Info %I Noso-Info %C Brussels, Belgium %V XXII %P 3 %8 2018 %G eng %N 4 %& 10 %0 Generic %D 2018 %T Surveillance of antimicrobial consumption in Belgian hospitals (BeH-SAC): a reviewed methodology %A Eline Vandael %A Magerman,K. %A Boudewijn Catry %K antimicrobial consumption %K Belgium %K hospital %B ECCMID conference %C Madrid, Spain %G eng %U http://m.eccmidlive.org/#Home %0 Government Document %D 2017 %T Antibioticaresistentie: Een ernstige bedreiging voor de gezondheidszorg %A Eline Vandael %A Boudewijn Catry %K Antimicrobial resistance %B Farmazine %V 75 %G eng