The HCAI & AMR Department of the Centre for Infections is responsible for investigating the epidemiology of Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance.

It runs a range of national surveillance programmes that collect epidemiological data on healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and monitor resistance to antibiotics. These schemes include both mandatory and voluntary data collection including sugical site infection rates, reports of MRSA, bacteraemia, and Clostridium difficile infection. We also use data supplied to the HPA on a voluntary basis by laboratories to monitor the micro-organisms causing invasive infections (both HCAI and community) and their resistance to antibiotics. As well as monitoring trends and changes, this data is also used to inform national guidelines on antibiotics therapy and other aspects of policy.

HCAI & AMR is responsible for contributing UK data to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) [external link]. The department works closely with ECDC on a number of their projects related to the epidemiology of HCAI and AMR in the EU. HCAI & AMR coordinates the UK contribution to Healthcare Associated Infections Network (HAI-Net) including:

• Surgical site infection reported by hospitals in England. Of seven surgical categories that ECDC monitors, data contributed by England covers four surgical categories: coronary artery bypass graft, large bowel surgery, hip prosthesis (including partial hip replacement) and knee prosthesis. Currently ECDC co-ordinates SSI data from 13 participating member states in Europe and the purpose of collecting the data is to allow inter-country comparisons of the SSI rates.
• The Point prevalence survey of HAI and antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals, which investigates the overall prevalence of; HCAI, antimicrobial prescribing and invasive devices at a single time-point, and identifies priority areas for surveillance, interventions and antimicrobial stewardship.
• The European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net), which collects data on antimicrobial resistance rates across Europe. EARS-Net undertakes surveillance of the antimicrobial susceptibility of seven bacterial pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) which are important human pathogens. EARS-Net also collects denominator data on laboratory/hospital activity and patient characteristics.

We also participate in a range of other projects focused on HCAI, from evaluating computer systems for use in infection control settings to assessment of mortality associated with HCAI.

The staff of HCAI&AMR department are involved in advising and educating healthcare professionals on the surveillance, prevention and control of HCAI and antimicrobial resistance.  We also work with the Laboratory of Healthcare Associated Infection (LHCAI) and the Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Reference Laboratory (ARMRL) to provide advice in investigating and managing outbreaks and incidents related to healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance.

• The Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (ARHAI)
  A committee to provide expert advice to Government on antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections
  Added/updated: 26 October 2010