The Health Ministry has launched a campaign to address hospital-acquired infections, antibiotic overuse and consequent microbial resistance, as the country’s infection rates reached 13.8% compared to the European Union average of 7%.
The poor performance of Cypriot hospitals in the last two European reviews prompted authorities to take action. The Health Ministry has prepared, over the past year in collaboration with the Central Infections Committee, a series of clinical guidelines which have been sent to all hospitals, both public and private, as well as all healthcare service providers.
The latest data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in May 2024 showed Cyprus was far from EU targets regarding hospital-acquired infections, with rates reaching 13.8% whilst the European average stood at 7%.
A total of 20 different clinical guidelines have been prepared and sent to Cyprus hospitals to date, focusing on infections in healthcare settings. Some guidelines address the management of infections caused by various microbes and bacteria, for which Cyprus appears to face significant problems according to European data.
The MRSA infection provides a characteristic example of the challenge. In 2019, a target was set to reduce the incidence by 18% by 2030, to reach 5.6 cases per 100,000 population.
However, the Cypriot rate not only failed to decrease but rose to 15.5 cases per 100,000 residents in 2023.
Cyprus also showed significant rates for infections caused by urinary catheter use, with related guidelines also sent to hospitals.
“The goal of the Health Ministry and the Central Infections Committee is for this effort that began in the last year and a half to continue,” Deputy Director General and Director of Medical Services Elisavet Konstantinou told philenews. “Periodically, as a number of clinical guidelines are prepared, they are sent to all hospitals, both public and private sector, and this process is continuous”.
The guidelines, she explained, “are addressed to all health professionals and staff involved in providing health services and aim to promote the safety of both patients and staff through effective management and prevention of infections”.
Alongside the guidelines, she added, “drafts of two national strategies have been prepared. One concerns hospital-acquired infections and the second microbial resistance”.
By the end of the year, specialised software is scheduled to operate, requiring hospitals to record both infection cases and their data regarding antibiotic administration.
“Hospital-acquired infections are directly linked to microbial resistance, which is connected to antibiotic consumption, so through the software, comprehensive recording will be done to ensure proper surveillance,” she said.
Legal aspects of the software’s operation are currently under study.
Beyond these measures, “because these issues are very serious for the Health Ministry, the establishment and operation of infection surveillance committees and antibiotic stewardship committees in hospitals is being promoted. Some hospitals have already operated these committees,” whilst the infection control nurse training programme has been reactivated.
Konstantinou described the Health Ministry’s efforts over the past year and a half as “the first organised effort being made in relation to managing hospital infections, antibiotic use and microbial resistance”.
She noted that Cyprus participates in various European programmes and must follow certain standards and implement various actions, meaning “our effort is not only at national level but also European”.
