The WHO has identified AMR as a serious threat to global health, development and security. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported that AMR is already the cause of 33,000 deaths a year in the EU / EEA, mainly due to healthcare associated infections.

The burden of infections with antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms for the European population is comparable to the burden of flu, tuberculosis, HIV / AIDS combined. Data on regional trends in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance in strains involved in infectious pathology were discussed. The importance of the microbiological laboratory in detecting and monitoring antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms was mentioned.

The microbiology laboratory plays a predominant role in establishing the etiology of communicable diseases and detecting antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Data on microorganism resistance to antimicrobials (AMR) will be used on: • elaboration of national policies for the use of antimicrobials by adjusting the guidelines, normative acts arguments for reviewing and updating national clinical protocols; • AMR control through diagnostic expertise; • arguments and contribution to the identification of epidemic outbreaks; • evidence-based data for the development and prevention of healthcare associated infections; planning and carrying out interventions to control these infections.

AMR data will be used by clinicians for reasoned guidance and optimization of empirical antimicrobial therapy; important information for prescribing antibiotics on models of institutional susceptibility; support in the subsequent monitoring of the success of antimicrobial treatment.Specialists identified challenges in obtaining accurate and standardized AMR data and listed opportunities for improvement.