Introduction to the ESPAUR Webinar and Report 2021–2022: Key Findings and Stakeholder Engagement

Abstract

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we saw significant decreases in the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs), antibiotic-resistant infections, and the burden of resistant infections. The reasons for this are complex and multifactorial, but likely, at least in part, due to changes in healthcare delivery and healthcare seeking behavior. As healthcare systems return to pre-pandemic ways of working, now is a pivotal moment to ensure focus remains on what is often referred to as the ‘silent pandemic’: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The ninth English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilization and Resistance (ESPAUR) report provides an overview of the national data on antibiotic prescribing and resistance, antimicrobial stewardship implementation, and awareness activities. The active contribution from and collaboration with the ESPAUR oversight group and the engagement of stakeholder organizations, including the devolved administrations, are also reported. Findings from the ESPAUR report were presented at a webinar on 23 November 2022.

Keywords

• antimicrobial consumption
• antimicrobial resistance
• antimicrobial stewardship
• antibiotic
• anti-fungal
• England