Antimicrobial Resistance Action Committee (ARAC)
The purpose of ARAC is to provide expert advice to DHSSPS on all issues to do with antimicrobial resistance and provide leadership in on strategies for tackling this issue.
Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines
Northern Ireland antimicrobial guidelines for secondary care 2010
Antibiotic prescribing guidelines based upon a regional template have been developed by a sub-group comprising Trust Microbiologists, the Antimicrobial Pharmacist Network and members of the Pharmaceutical Clinical Effectiveness Programme.
These were completed and implemented within Trusts early in 2010 and will be reviewed in February 2011. This represents an unique opportunity to consolidate antibiotic choices for approximately 80% of conditions and an education tool for prescribers.
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Guidelines (PDF 104KB)
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust Guidelines (PDF 274KB)
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Guidelines (PDF 333KB)
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust Guidelines (PDF 225KB)
- Western Health and Social Care Trust (PDF 136KB)
Northern Ireland antimicrobial guidelines for primary care 2010, published by the Public Health Agency
The regional antimicrobial prescribing guidelines have been developed using a range of sources of current evidence based practice, in consultation with experts from the Antimicrobial Resistant Action Committee.
Professional Education and Practice
As part of the development of the new Strategy for Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance, members of ARAC undertook a review of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Curricula in 2009/2010. The results can be found in the link below.
AMRAP research abstracts 2009
Through the Health and Social Care Research & Development Office, AMRAP commissioned a series of research projects to be conducted in issues related to healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. Following a rigorous selection process, four projects were chosen:
