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antimicrobial resistance (AMR)Resistance that is either innate or has been acquired by a microbe (most often, a bacterium) to any compound that is designed to kill it or inhibit its growth. Several different mechanisms of AMR exist; the phrase is also used to describe any pathogen that is less susceptible than its counterparts to a specific antimicrobial compound. |
antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)A multi-disciplinary, systematic approach to optimising the use of antimicrobials to improve patient outcomes and limit the emergence of resistant pathogens, while ensuring patient safety. |
aseptic techniqueLaboratory and clinical practices that prevent unwanted microorganisms from contaminating equipment, growth media or the workplace. |
carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriales (CRE)Enteric bacteria that are resistant to carbapenemase antibiotics. |
colonisingOrganisms in the environment found growing on sites in the body, without causing infection. |
diagnostic stewardship programme (DSP)Coordinated systems or user-based interventions designed to promote evidence-based utilisation of diagnostic tests, with the primary goals of improving value and care quality, and safely reducing cost (Madden et al., 2018). |
endogenous infectionsThese are infections that are caused by normal flora: for example, Enterococcus faecalis, which is a part of normal gastrointestinal tract flora, can be introduced into the blood during surgical intervention in the patient. |
enteric bacteriaBacteria that reside in the intestines. |
exogenous infectionsThese are infections that are acquired from the environment or animal sources, or from another person;. For example, non-surgical wounds may become contaminated, or infections such as meningococcal meningitis may spread from person to person. |
Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS)A system that standardises and shares surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide, implemented by the World Health Organization. |
infection prevention and control (IPC)Guidelines and practices that protect patients and health workers from avoidable infection. |
prevalenceThe proportion of a population that is suffering from a particular disease at a particular time, or the proportion of isolates that are resistant to a particular antimicrobial at a particular time. |
standard operating procedures (SOPs)A document detailing how routine laboratory processes and procedures should be performed. |