AURA 2021: Fourth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health
AURA 2021
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The Fourth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health: AURA 2021, and a number of companion documents for specific clinical and consumer audiences, are available to support prevention and containment activities.
About the report
The Commission released its Fourth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA 2021) in August 2021 to continue to raise awareness of trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the hospital and community settings, and priorities for control and prevention of AMR and improvement of antimicrobial use (AU). This Report provides a valuable source of data on which to base the development of targeted strategies to prevent and contain AMR; to support improved antimicrobial prescribing and use; and to improve the safety and quality of healthcare to patients.
This report includes AMR and AU data from across Australia and builds on the analyses presented in the three previous national AURA Reports (AURA 2016, AURA 2017, and AURA 2019).
AURA 2021 includes analyses of AMR and AU data predominantly collected in 2018 and 2019; with 2020 data from the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert), and 2020 data on dispensing of antibiotics under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AURA data and the analyses of clinical impact included in AURA 2021 continue to support states, territories, the Australian Government, the private sector, and clinicians working across those organisations to take action to prevent and control AMR and improve antimicrobial use; inform clinical practice; and, importantly improve patient safety.
The AURA Surveillance System also supports implementation of Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and Beyond (the National AMR Strategy).
AURA Surveillance System data also supports implementation of the National Quality and Safety Health Service Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard by informing the Actions of the Standard and the assessment of compliance.
The AURA Surveillance System demonstrates Australia’s continuing commitment to addressing the challenges of AMR, guiding action to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines through responsive health policy, and influencing clinical practice change, where needed.
A number of related reports and resources are available, including a Highlights Report and a Consumer Summary.
AURA 2021 companion reports
Information for consumers
Access to Data - Figures and Tables
Information for health professionals
Presentations and videos
The Fourth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA 2021) was launched via webcast on Friday, 27 August 2021. A recording of the event which was facilitated by the ABC Health Reporter, Sophie Scott and is available at http://d1z7estv58uudk.cloudfront.net/webcast/acsqhc20210827-20210907.mp4. This video is also available with captions, the link is http://d1z7estv58uudk.cloudfront.net/webcast/ACSQHC_20210827-20210907_captioned.mp4
The speakers and panellists included:
- Professor Villis Marshall AC, Chair, Board of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Professor John Turnidge AO, Senior Medical Advisor, AURA
- Professor Michael Kidd , Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Australian Government Department of Health
- Professor Karin Thursky, Director, National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Dr Morgyn Warner, Consultant Physician, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology
- Dr Teresa Wozniak, Lead, HOTspots, Menzies School of Health Research
- Professor Geoff Coombs, President, Australian Society for Antimicrobials
- Nadine Hillock, Program Manager, National Antimicrobial Utilisation Surveillance Program (NAUSP)
- Conjoint Professor Anne Duggan, Chief Medical Officer, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
YouTube link - https://youtu.be/5auAIrJfsNo
YouTube link - https://youtu.be/5auAIrJfsNo