How to utilize routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance data for local and national actions in an LMIC

Abstract

We describe here how we guide and work with over 100 secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals in Thailand to support the effective use of their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for local actions, and with policy makers for national actions. At the facility level, the guidance includes: (i) validating data, (ii) comparing data with previous reports, (iii) comparing data with other hospitals with similar levels of care and bed count, (iv) comparing cluster signals with infection prevention control records, and (v) identifying wards with hyperendemic hospital-origin AMR infections. At the national level, the guidance includes monitoring national estimates, systematically benchmarking hospital-level estimates, and developing national guidelines for empirical antimicrobial therapy. We encourage hospitals and policy makers in other low- and middle-income countries to explore, adopt and adapt this guidance, ensuring their AMR surveillance data are effectively used for their local and national actions based on their context and constraints.