Strategy for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Australia

Abstract

The importance of surveillance* in combating and managing antimicrobial† resistance (AMR) is recognised as an important component of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, 2001. There is good evidence that surveillance is a cost-effective infection control strategy.^1,2 Appropriate surveillance provides vital information for the targeting of interventions, and measures success or failure of these interventions. Surveillance enables early detection and intervention, and can therefore reduce the extent and severity of outbreaks. This in turn should reduce infection-related costs, making funds available for other healthcare activities. Short-term investment, therefore, leads to longer-term gains and overall savings.