Preventing antimicrobial resistance through infection control

Stronger hygiene and infection prevention measures, including vaccination, strong hand hygiene, appropriate aseptic technique, consistent maintenance of clean, hygienic medical facilities, equipment and practices along with thoughtful and thorough surveillance, monitoring and evaluation measures can limit the spread of resistant microorganisms and reduce antimicrobial misuse and overuse.

By preventing infectious diseases whose treatment would require antimicrobial medicines and viral infections which are frequently mistreated with antimicrobial medicines, the global community can better steward these essential medicines and use these valuable medications more carefully.