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Volume: 23S7 - November 1997
CONTROLLING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
An Integrated Action Plan for Canadians
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Successful control of antimicrobial resistance in Canada will require
a multifaceted approach. LCDC and the Canadian Infectious Disease Society,
in collaboration with a Planning Committee (Appendix
I), brought together stakeholders from across the country (see Appendix
II for a list of participants) to attend a national conference, Controlling
Antimicrobial Resistance: An Integrated Action Plan for Canadians, in
Montreal, from May 28 to 30, 1997.
The goal of the conference was to develop an action plan to limit the
development and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant organisms in Canada
and to recommend ways to assess the effectiveness of the plan. There were
four specific objectives:
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To report what is known about antimicrobial resistance levels currently
present in community settings, health care facilities and animal husbandry
in Canada, the United States and the world, and to discuss the factors
contributing to increasing levels of resistance.
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To create the components of an action plan that can be used by the
public and professionals in community settings and health care facilities
to limit the development and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant
organisms. Possible components could be the development of national
surveillance systems, professional and public education programs,
development of guidelines outlining the appropriate use of antimicrobial
agents, and care of and isolation techniques required for individuals
infected with antimicrobial-resistant organisms.
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To determine how to measure the effectiveness of the components of
the action plan. Methods of assessment could include surveillance
projects, outcome measurements, process measurements and special studies.
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To anticipate obstacles that could prevent the realization of the
action plan and to suggest ways to overcome these obstacles.
A number of working groups were formed (Appendix
III) to make recommendations on the following issues:
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antimicrobial use in various settings and how to improve such use;
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the detection of antibiotic resistance and the role of surveillance;
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the partnerships required among industry, governments, health care
providers and researchers to limit antimicrobial resistance and to
coordinate care; and
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strategies for communicating and implementing the action plan resulting
from the recommendations.
The following paragraphs provide more detailed information on each of
these issues and present the recommendations reached through consensus.
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