4.2 What is the purpose of AMR surveillance?

Data gathered through surveillance allows for the monitoring of local and national patterns of resistance to provide information on the access and use of antimicrobials. Surveillance is also important for early detection of new strains of resistant bacteria (bacteria with novel ways of resisting the action of antibiotics) and to support prompt notification of relevant authorities, allowing for quick investigation and action to mitigate the spread of resistance (WHO, 2021). Because the prevalence of AMR varies considerably from community to community and from country to country, a standardised method of collection and reporting of AMR data is key to allowing meaningful comparisons between levels of resistance in different places and times. The module The problem of AMR discusses these issues in more detail.

Let us examine the types of AMR surveillance systems operating at local, national and global levels. We will discuss what these systems do, how they share information with each other and consider some examples. The modules Introducing AMR surveillance systems and An overview of national AMR surveillance systems discuss these in more detail. The following section is thus an introductory discussion of AMR surveillance systems.