Experts from the WHO-CC AMR have ample experience in analyzing, interpreting and presenting AMR surveillance data to provide insight into the epidemiology of AMR and to support development of empiric antibiotic treatment guidelines and policies to control antibiotic resistance.

RIVM is co-editor of the yearly national AMR surveillance report NethMap and contributes to the chapter on resistance surveillance using data from the national AMR surveillance system ISIS-AR. RIVM together with clinical microbiologists has developed a web-interface called ISISweb, which allows the analysis and comparison of local and national AMR surveillance data. In addition, ISISweb provides standardised resistance reports developed to support Antibiotic Stewardship initiatives in hospitals. National surveillance data from ISIS-AR is often used for scientific studies of the epidemiology of AMR in the Netherlands. The WHO CC AMR analyses the data and contributes to the drafting of the CAESAR annual report. The CAESAR annual report 2014 is currently in preparation and will be published soon.

When analyzing and interpreting AMR surveillance data, there is a special focus on assessing the reliability, representativeness and potential sources of bias in the data. The reliability and representativeness of Dutch surveillance data may be influenced at different points in the data generation process like the selection of hospital laboratories that participate in the surveillance program, selection of patients for blood culturing in the clinic, processing of samples in the laboratory, and aggregation and analysis of the data.

WHO CC AMR supports the analysis of national AMR surveillance data by providing technical support and guidance through online and on-site consultation and capacity building workshops.