Novel global balanced measures for an early and safe use of antibiotics in severe infections: Cutting costs and mortality on European ICUs

Since Alexander Flemming discovered and characterised Penicillin in 1928 the antibiotic era was announced and the bacterial genome showed its remarkable and powerful ability in emerging resistance. In spite of all various strategies in anti-infective therapy severe infection/sepsis continues to be one of the most frequent causes of death in Europe (3^rd most frequent cause of death after myocardial infarction) and represents one of the leading expense factors in intensive care medicine. It is the „globalisation of infection“, the progressive pandemic spreading of antibiotic resistances as well as a multitude of pathogens that very often complicate a fast, targeted and resistance compatible antibiotic treatment of sepsis and severe infections. Additionally the ineffective usage of antimicrobial agents increases the selection pressure on microbial pathogens and amplifies the antimicrobial resistance patterns on European ICUs. Existing recommendations and guidelines, however, very often fail to be applied due to a lack of transnational communication and guideline implementation strategies as well as missing international decision support systems for the attending physician at the bedside in the intensive care unit.

To take action in respect to patient safety the Early e-Guided Use of Antibiotics related to Resistance Data (EGUARD) should bridge the gab of an early and adequate empiric antibiotic treatment in severe infections and septic shock on European ICUs. EGUARD should enforce the European efforts against infections and accomplish the containment of antimicrobial resistance in the EU.

Be invited to find out more about EGUARD!