Reliability and validity of multicentre surveillance of surgical site infections after colorectal surgery.

Background: Surveillance is the cornerstone of surgical site infection prevention programs. The validity of the data collection and awareness of vulnerability to inter-rater variation is crucial for correct interpretation and use of surveillance data. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance after colorectal surgery in the Netherlands.

Routinely available antimicrobial susceptibility information can be used to increase the efficiency of screening for carbapenemase-producing .

Increased carbapenem resistance is often caused by carbapenemase production.. The objective of our study was to assess which antibiotic susceptibility patterns, as tested by automated systems, are highly associated with the absence of carbapenemase production in isolates, and could therefore be used as a screening tool.

Combined throat/nasal swab sampling for SARS-CoV-2 is equivalent to nasopharyngeal sampling.

Purpose: PCR on a nasopharyngeal sample is the reference method for the detection of SARS-nCoV-2. However, combined throat/nasal sampling as a testing method has several advantages. We compared the combined throat/nasal sampling with nasopharyngeal sampling for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers suspected of COVID-19.

Antibiotic Resistance and the Risk of Recurrent Bacteremia.

Background: Direct health effects of antibiotic resistance are difficult to assess. We quantified the risk of recurrent bacteremia associated with resistance.

Methods: We extracted antimicrobial susceptibility testing data on blood isolates from the Dutch surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance between 2008 and 2017.

National laboratory-based surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance: a successful tool to support the control of antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands.

An important cornerstone in the control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a well-designed quantitative system for the surveillance of spread and temporal trends in AMR. Since 2008, the Dutch national AMR surveillance system, based on routine data from medical microbiological laboratories (MMLs), has developed into a successful tool to support the control of AMR in the Netherlands. It provides background information for policy making in public health and healthcare services, supports development of empirical antibiotic therapy guidelines and facilitates in-depth research.