International Perspectives

s should address one of the following themes: • Healthcare systems, economics and coverage • Direct care, patient safety • Equity/ethics/human rights • Health promotion and disease prevention • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supporting nurses at the forefront and improving quality of care • Leadership – management • Nursing education and learning • The nursing workforce, workplace and image • Disasters/conflicts/pandemics • Regulation • History. Congress registration opens online on 10 October 2016. Further information and regular updates on the Congress programme will be posted on the Congress website at website: www.icncongress.com. AMR may cause 10 million deaths globally per year by 2050 Nurses are vital to reducing the impact and limiting the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stated the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in its call on governments to support the Global Action Plan on AMR. A major threat to global public health, AMR leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality. AMR threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. “Nurses can play a key role in lobbying governments to develop and strengthen national antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems to monitor the extent and cause of resistance in order to strengthen knowledge and evidence bases”, stated Dr Frances Hughes, ICN Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we can lobby governments for regulation to ensure that only quality assured, safe and efficacious antimicrobial agents are licensed, distributed, and sold”. AMR is responsible annually for 25 thousand deaths in Europe, 38 thousand in Thailand, and over 23 thousand in the USA, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). AMR has huge economic costs as well – the estimated direct costs of AMR in the USA are up to US$20 billion per year, and indirect costs up to US $35 billion per year. By 2050 AMR could cause over 10 million deaths per year globally and result in a cumulative cost of US $100 trillion, roughly equivalent to removing the UK economy from global output each year. A critical role of nurses is to educate the public. A WHO multi-country survey revealed that 64% of respondents believed that antibiotics are good for illnesses such as cold and flu; and about one-third believed they should stop taking antibiotics when they feel better. Further roles for nurses include supporting and strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) policies and practices; supporting patients’ adherence to antimicrobial treatment and correct use of antibiotics; and promoting vaccination. Healthcare professional organizations gathered recently at WHO headquarters to consider the healthcare workforce implications of AMR. Participants worked to identify the best methods to address knowledge and information delivery to prescribers and healthcare workers, and to achieve effective behaviour change. At the meeting, Dr Hughes stressed that nurses have the most impact on public and patient education; infection prevention and control; ensuring responsible use of AMRs and monitoring and evaluating treatment; and reporting of AMR events. The 2015 World Health Assembly adopted the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which highlights the vital role of the healthcare workforce “in preserving the power of antimicrobial medicines”. The Plan’s main objectives are to: • improve awareness and understanding of AMR, • strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research, • reduce the incidence of infection through sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention, • optimize the use of antimicrobial agents, • develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of all countries, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions. In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly will include a high level meeting on