Epidemiology of multi-resistant organisms – challenges to a regional data management system

The health care region Baltic Coast is within the framework of the joint project HICARE (Health, Innovative Care & Regional Economy) to be developed from January 2011 to December 2014 into a model region to combat the spread of multi-resistant organisms (MRO). The concept of the project area “IT & Epidemiology” will be introduced here. An IT system is to be developed and implemented consisting of two interconnected elements, a central data management and a web-based support system for information and decision. Particular challenges are the consolidation of data decentrally collected from numerous and heterogeneous data sources, compliance with the data privacy protection laws and the complex management of patients’ informed consent. The information collected by the central data management will be the basis of epidemiological evaluations. Prevalence and incidence of MRO in patients and staff of medical facilities, single risk factors as well as risk profiles, the range and extent of treatments including their effectiveness and sustainability will be investigated. Furthermore, cost and cost-utility analyses will be performed.