In a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, the European project IMAGINE has managed to reduce urinary tract infections (UTIs) in geriatric care facilities by 27%. This initiative, co-financed by the EU4Health program of the European Commission, has been developed in eight European countries, including Spain, and has focused on improving infection prevention and control, as well as promoting responsible antibiotic use.
The Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine has played a key role as a co-leader in one of the project’s axes, highlighting the importance of adopting effective preventive measures. According to the final technical reports, the program has shown a decrease in the incidence of urinary infections treated with antibiotics, which has decreased from 12.2% to 8.9%. Furthermore, an improvement in adherence to prescription guidelines has been observed, with a significant decrease in the inappropriate use of antibiotics in uncomplicated UTIs, which has decreased from 60.2% to 46.2% in Spain.
Through the implementation of clinical audits, training sessions, and a participatory approach involving more than 400 healthcare professionals, IMAGINE has proven to be an effective model in optimizing treatment and preventing infections in the geriatric setting. The findings are relevant both clinically and economically, suggesting that an extension of these interventions could generate net savings of approximately 150 million euros annually across Europe.
The data underscore that, in a context of growing antibiotic resistance characterized by alarming annual death rates in the European Union, the methodology proposed by IMAGINE may be key to informing future health policy strategies. By addressing antimicrobial resistance from a patient-centered perspective and focusing on healthcare staff education, this project establishes a framework for future initiatives in the European context. The positive impact on clinical practice and significant cost reduction present an innovative approach in the fight against one of the biggest challenges in current public health.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
