The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released the 2023 CARAlert annual report, which provides analyses of data submitted to the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert). CARAlert collects information on priority organisms that are uncommon in Australia but have critical resistance to last-line antimicrobials (CARs). The report shows seasonal and geographic trends in CARs across acute and community settings as reported by laboratories that voluntarily participate in CARAlert.
Key findings include:
- There was an overall increase of 86% in CARs reported from 2022 to 2023
- Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) continues to be the most frequently reported CAR – 45% of reports in 2023
- Rates of CARs in hospitals are rising, particularly CPE, which was most commonly reported from hospitals and accounted for the majority hospital reports in 2023
- There were notable increases in community-onset CARS from 2022 to 2023, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae (up 448%), multidrug-resistant Shigella species (up 37%) and ceftriaxone-nonsusceptible Salmonella species (up 86%).
The ongoing effect of resumed international travel and social interaction following restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is likely contributing to the increasing number of reports to CARAlert. Ongoing reports of CARs is concerning particularly for vulnerable populations, such as residents of aged care homes. As CARs threaten the efficacy of antimicrobials and patient safety, this report highlights the importance of continuing surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and infections, along with antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control.
CARAlert Annual Report: 2023 | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
