Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in Canadian acute care hospitals, 2017-2021.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continue to contribute to excess morbidity and mortality among Canadians. This report describes epidemiologic and laboratory characteristics and trends of HAIs and AMR from 2017 to 2021 ( 2012-2021) using surveillance and laboratory data submitted by hospitals to the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) and by provincial laboratories to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML).

METHODS

Data collected from 88 Canadian sentinel acute care hospitals between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021, for infections (CDI), carbapenemase-producing (CPE), methicillin-resistant (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSIs) and vancomycin-resistant (VRE) BSIs. () surveillance was initiated in 2019 by CNISP and in 2012 by the NML. Case counts, rates, outcomes, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiles are presented.

RESULTS

From 2017 to 2021, increased rates per 10,000 patient days were observed for MRSA BSIs (35%; 0.84-1.13), VRE BSIs (43%; 0.23-0.33) and CPE infections (166%, 0.03-0.08). CDI rates decreased 11% (5.68-5.05). Thirty-one isolates were identified in Canada from 2012 to 2021, with the majority from Western Canada (68%).

CONCLUSION

From 2017 to 2021, the incidence of MRSA and VRE BSIs, and CPE infections increased in Canadian acute care hospitals participating in a national sentinel network (CNISP) while CDI decreased. Few isolates were identified from 2012 to 2021. Reporting standardized surveillance data and the consistent application of infection prevention and control practises in acute care hospitals are critical to help decrease the burden of HAIs and AMR in Canada.