The Echo of the Pandemic: Influence of COVID-19 on Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major global issue; if nothing changes, it could cause 10 million deaths by 2050. The COVID-19 pandemic has, at times, exacerbated this phenomenon in hospital settings (increased antibiotic use, overburdened wards, and healthcare-associated infections). This project aims to understand the pandemic's impact on infections caused by resistant bacteria at the CHU de Québec by comparing the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) with the pandemic period (from 2020 onwards). The goal is to inform decision-making regarding the prevention and control of these infections during future crises. Our approach: 1. Track trends in infection rates and observe how they vary alongside COVID-19-related hospital strain (bed occupancy, admissions, etc.). 2. Determine whether the pandemic altered the typical trajectory of these infections by comparing data from before and after the pandemic began. 3. Virtually test various hospital organizational and preventive scenarios (screening, hand hygiene, antibiotic use) using a simulation tool that models the spread of these bacteria within the hospital. The study relies on anonymized weekly data from the CHU de Québec (patient characteristics, COVID-19 status, laboratory results, hospital activity), supplemented by public data sources. The findings will help measure the strength of the link between COVID-19-related hospital strain and resistant infections, and guide effective strategies to better protect patients during periods of high hospital strain. By identifying the key factors contributing to the rise (or containment) of resistant infections during COVID-19, the project provides concrete tools for pandemic preparedness-such as alert triggers, the selection of preventive measures, appropriate antibiotic use, and service organization during activity peaks.